Irish national extradited to SDTX to face child exploitation charges

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 36-year-old man from Ireland is set to make his initial appearance in the Southern District of Texas on charges of coercion and enticement and sexual exploitation of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Matthew Liam Johnstone was extradited from Ireland to Houston Feb. 19. He is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby in Corpus Christi at 9:45 a.m.

The indictment, returned Aug. 6, 2025, alleges that in September 2022, Johnstone allegedly coerced a minor into filming and photographing herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The acts allegedly included elements of sadism and bestiality.

If convicted, Johnstone faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The FBI conducted the investigation. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs worked with authorities in Ireland to secure the arrest and extradition of Johnstone.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Adam Braskich of the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's CEOS leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ's PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.