A former FBI electronics technician has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for a string of child exploitation offenses, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee (justice.gov).
Justin Carroll, who worked at the FBI’s Providence Field Office, was convicted by a jury on seven felony counts, including sexual exploitation of a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor for unlawful sexual activity, receipt of child pornography, and the transmission of obscene material to minors under 16.
The crimes occurred between June 2020 and April 2021, during which Carroll used online platforms to initiate contact with at least three 14-year-old girls. He engaged in sexually explicit conversations and exchanged illicit images with the victims across various messaging apps and websites.
Investigators uncovered Carroll’s conduct after one of the victims mailed a Valentine’s Day gift to the FBI office where he worked. Subsequent searches of Carroll’s devices and social media accounts revealed sexually explicit images of the minors. In at least one case, he continued to communicate with a victim even after her mother had informed him of her daughter’s age via email.
Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire stated, “When someone in law enforcement dishonors their responsibilities by committing criminal acts, we will seek the most serious penalties in order to restore the public’s trust.” His remarks were included in the Department of Justice’s official release.
Joseph E. Carrico, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Nashville Field Office, added that the sentencing highlights the agency’s zero-tolerance approach to child exploitation, regardless of the offender’s position: “No matter who you are, you will be brought to justice.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville also contributed to the case. HSI Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud emphasized the importance of law enforcement integrity: “We will pursue these investigations vigorously as it is paramount that we maintain the trust and integrity of those we swore an oath to protect.”
Following his prison term, Carroll will be subject to 10 years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica R. Morrison and Juliet Aldridge, with investigative support from both the FBI’s Nashville and Providence Field Offices and HSI.
This sentencing marks a sobering reminder of the dangers minors face online and the critical role of inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding vulnerable populations.
