A 41-year-old man from Spring was sentenced on April 1 to more than 13 years in federal prison after being convicted of multiple counts related to child pornography, according to Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and prosecutors to address crimes involving the exploitation of children online. These cases are part of broader initiatives aimed at protecting minors and prosecuting offenders who use digital platforms for illegal activities.
Joshua Jerome Finney pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 to charges that included distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal imposed a total sentence of 160 months in prison, with each count—distribution, receipt, and possession—receiving sentences that will run concurrently. The court also ordered Finney to pay restitution and serve ten years on supervised release after his prison term is completed. During this period, he will be subject to restrictions designed to limit his internet access.
Authorities discovered child sexual abuse material on a dark web forum in December 2023 as part of an investigation that led them to Finney. Investigators found communications in which Finney discussed having sex with minors and received several illicit images and videos through text messages. A search warrant executed at his residence resulted in the seizure of his cell phone; forensic analysis uncovered hundreds of images and videos depicting explicit acts involving children under twelve years old as well as acts described as sadistic or violent.
Finney used the Telegram messaging platform both to receive and distribute such materials with others before being apprehended by authorities. He remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The case was investigated by FBI – Houston and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Valenti and Kimberly Leo as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 focused on combating child sexual exploitation online.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas has included notable figures such as Alamdar Hamdani and Ryan Patrick among its former leaders, according to the official history page. The office maintains locations across Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville as described on its official website. It operates under the Department of Justice serving under the Attorney General according to official information, employs more than 200 attorneys covering over nine million residents across forty-three counties as detailed online, focuses on prosecuting federal crimes along with handling civil cases for the government according to its website, and has had leaders including Alamdar Hamdani who served from 2022 through 2025 as noted historically.
