BOSTON – A Billerica man previously convicted of child sex offenses in New Hampshire was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for possession of child pornography.

Eric Robert Johnson, 49, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography. He will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date. Johnson was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 23, 2022 and has remained in federal custody since.

According to the charging document, a search of Johnson’s residence resulted in the recovery of a laptop computer and other electronic devices, including multiple hard drives that were found hidden in the ceiling. A preliminary review revealed that at least one of Johnson’s electronic devices allegedly contained images and videos depicting child pornography, including videos of children as young as approximately six to 10-years-old. Forensic review of the devices remains ongoing.

Additionally, according to court documents, during the search of Johnson’s residence, diapers were found and at least three mutilated dolls with the vaginal region sliced to make a hole. Two children’s backpacks containing various children’s clothing including bathing suits and a nightgown were found under Johnson’s bed. A bag of children’s costumes along with a sex toy were recovered in the basement.

Johnson was previously convicted in 1992 on state charges in New Hampshire of two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault on a child under 13 years of age.

The charge of possession of child pornography after a prior conviction for a sex offense provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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