A 38-year-old man from the Bahamas has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison after being convicted of sexually exploiting a child in Newport News.
According to court documents, Newport News Police officers responded to a report of suspected child sexual abuse on July 15, 2025. When officers arrived at the residence, they found Rian Wayne Johnson with the 11-year-old victim.
The investigation determined that between at least May 30, 2025, and July 15, 2025, Johnson sexually exploited the child, for whom he served as a primary caregiver. Authorities discovered that Johnson had recorded himself engaging in sexual acts with the victim and stored the recordings on his cellphone.
The evidence gathered during the investigation led to federal charges and ultimately Johnson’s conviction. Following the court proceedings, he was sentenced to 27 years in prison.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C., with assistance from the Newport News Police Department. Law enforcement officials emphasized the importance of reporting suspected child abuse and exploitation to protect vulnerable victims and hold offenders accountable.