Spring resident sent to prison for over 13 years after distributing child sexual abuse material

HOUSTON - A 41-year-old area man has been ordered to federal prison for multiple child pornography convictions, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.

Joshua Jerome Finney pleaded guilty Jan. 5.

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now imposed a total 160-month-term of imprisonment - 160, 160 and 120 months for the respective counts of distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography to be served concurrently. At the hearing, the court heard and considered additional evidence regarding the lifelong damage Finney caused to the minor victims and how he encouraged further abuse for his pleasure.

Finney was further ordered to pay restitution and will serve 10 years on supervised release following completing of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to the internet.

In December 2023, authorities discovered child sexual abuse material on a dark web forum.

The investigation eventually led to Finney who had been communicating with others. In some of the text messages, Finney discussed having sex with minors and received several CSAM images and videos.

A search warrant at Finney's residence resulted in the seizure of his cell phone. Forensic examination ultimately uncovered 178 images and 260 videos depicting CSAM. The material depicted children under the age of 12, sadistic or masochistic conduct, bestiality and acts of violence such as the penetration of the minors.

Communication on that device also showed he was receiving and distributing child pornography with other individuals through his Telegram account.

Finney has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

FBI - Houston conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Valenti and Kimberly Leo are prosecuting the case, which 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 Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section 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.