ALACHUA – A 26-year-old Alachua woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury on 23 counts involving the alleged production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to federal prosecutors.
John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges against Trinity Joy Johnson.
Court records indicate Johnson has appeared in federal court for arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Midori Lowry in Gainesville. A jury trial is scheduled for June 17, 2026, before Chief U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
The federal charges follow an earlier state investigation that began in January after authorities received a CyberTip concerning online activity associated with an account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to previously released information, investigators said the account participated in numerous online conversations involving the sharing of images and videos depicting child sexual exploitation. Authorities said the account holder, who reportedly claimed to be an adult woman, frequently made statements indicating no age restrictions.
Investigators alleged the account distributed images and videos depicting child sexual abuse and, in at least two instances, sent images of a preschool-aged child whom the account holder claimed to know personally.
After investigators with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office linked the activity to Johnson, she was arrested Jan. 29 and initially charged with dozens of state felony offenses related to possession and distribution of child pornography.
Federal prosecutors said the new indictment includes charges carrying significant potential prison terms if Johnson is convicted.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the production-related charges carry possible penalties ranging from 15 to 30 years imprisonment. Distribution charges carry potential sentences of five to 20 years, while possession charges are punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
Federal officials said the case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on identifying and prosecuting individuals accused of exploiting children through the internet and other means.
An indictment is a formal accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Johnson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court beyond a reasonable doubt.
Editor’s note: This article avoids graphic details contained in investigative records because of the nature of the allegations and to protect potential victims.
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