MADERA - Earlier this year, Brandon Johns (33) called a number expecting to talk to a 13 year old girl who did not know him. Instead, the 13 year old girl’s mother answered the phone. Undeterred, Johns kept contacting the number trying to talk to the 13 year old. Ultimately the 13 year old, very bravely, spoke to Johns on the phone as her mother listened.
When Johns tried to engage in a sexual conversation with the 13 year old, the mother terminated the call immediately and notified law enforcement. The mother ultimately was able to provide information to law enforcement officers that enabled them to identify and arrest Johns, who was previously convicted of sending harmful matter to minors in Fresno County.
In 2015 Brandon Johns was arrested at a hotel in Madera. He was wanted for numerous felony charges in regards to contacting teenage girls on-line and by cell phone, trying to engage them in sexually oriented conversations, and soliciting them to send him sexually explicit photos.
Madera County Sheriff Jay Varney said, “This case is now resolved thanks to information from the public and many hours of hard work from our Deputies”. He added that “There are a lot of offenders out there who will prey on children and teenagers, parents and law enforcement need to be aware of this behavior and be ready to act quickly when something suspicious occurs.”
On March 27, 2019, Johns was sentenced to state prison for violating PC 288.3 (Felony) - contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense.
This is a good reminder for parents to know who your kids are talking to, and also pay attention to who is talking to your kids—in person, on the Internet, or in this case, on the phone. If you suspect an adult is inappropriately trying to talk to your child, contact law enforcement in your area and report it.
The successful prosecution and conviction was a joint effort with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, CDCR Parole, Agent Larry Rosen, and the Madera County District Attorney’s Office team.
