On Monday, June 15, Jackson Johansson received a 15-year prison sentence for viewing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

According to BYU-Idaho Public Affairs Director Brett Crandall, Johansson was a former student at BYUI.

The 24-year-old accepted a plea deal on Apr. 3, 2026, and officially pled guilty to the charges of possession of sexually exploitative material, sexual exploitation of child distribution of sexually exploitative material filed against him on June 3, 2025.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the Rexburg Police Department received a cybertip from the Idaho Crimes Against Children Taskforce regarding Johansson in Apr. 2025. After an investigation, police discovered Johansson had been viewing and distributing the child sexual abuse material for six months.

Johansson was arrested, and his bond was set to $5,000. He posted bail two days later.

The State's argument

During his sentencing hearing, the state recommended a 13-year sentence.

According to state prosecutor Rob Wood, Johansson underwent a psycho-sexual evaluation to determine the intention behind watching and distributing the material. The evaluators determined a pornagraphy addiction primarily influenced Johansson.

"Frankly, I disagree with them," Wood said. "I take issue that the defendants' alleged porn addiction led him to do this."

Wood continued to say that blaming his addiction is shifting the blame off of himself.

"He made the decision to do this," Wood said firmly.

The state prosecutor also referenced reports in which Johansson admitted he knew it was wrong, but "fell down the rabbit hole and began wanting more and more excitement."

Wood said he didn't believe that explanation. He said that if Johansson wanted the thrill of doing something wrong, he could've stolen a $2 candy bar.

"But that's not what he did," Wood said. "He engaged in one of the most pernicious crimes a person can engage in."

Wood furthered his argument by highlighting a message the defendant sent in 2025, where Johansson had confided in another individual that "the younger the better."

The state prosecutor mentioned another message found on Johansson's phone. In the referenced incident, an individual asked Johansson if he had ever touched a child. Johansson answered with, "No, but I want to."

The state ended their argument fully supporting a 13-year sentence, concluding with the letters of support the judge had received on behalf of Johansson.

"When I was reading them, I had to ask myself, 'what would those words mean to one of his victims, ... what would be the impact of them hearing how wonderful he is when he sent pictures and videos of them to who knows how many people?"

The Defense

Johansson's lawyer, Josh Garner, spoke next.

The defense asked for a sentence of 5 years' felony probation, citing the findings of the psycho-sexual evaluation and the pre-sentence investigation, which revealed that Johansson has had no previous criminal history.

According to Garner, the investigation concluded that it would be unlikely that Johansson would re-offend.

"After a thorough evaluation, ... this offense appears to be situational rather than a continuing pattern," Garner explained.

Garner also argued that Johansson has willingly undergone sex offender treatment for one year, showing his accountability and initiative to change.

The defense also referenced the letter of support, arguing that the letters said Johansson was a good person, transformed, considerate and kind.

"He's a good person who engaged in bad behavior," Garner said.

The attorney continued to emphasize that Johansson was not manufacturing the child sexual abuse material, only distributing it, explaining that the distinction was paramount.

"I want the court to understand, additionally, your honor, we're not punished for our thoughts," Garner said. "Inasmuch as the state wants to have this court understand maybe some of the things Mr. Johansson was thinking, we don't punish him for his thoughts; we punish him for actions. The sentence we are suggesting today, your honor, is one that conforms with that."

Garner ended his statement by asking the judge to consider Johansson as an individual and the evaluations he mentioned.

After the defense ended their argument, Johansson gave a statement.

Through sobs, Johansson apologized for what he had done. The defendant explained that through his family's support, Johansson has started to make substantial improvements.

"I have been working on becoming a more open person, developing more empathy and accepting help," Johansson said.

He concluded by apologizing again to his friends, family and all of his victims.

The Sentencing

Madison County Judge Steven W. Boyce started the sentencing with acknologing the evaluations, indicating that Johansson is unlikely to re-offend and has the potential for rehabilitation.

"You've kind of done, in some respect, everything you've could've done since this investigation led to your arrest," Judge Boyce told Johansson. "I think you are otherwise a responsible person who wants to work hard, wants to obey the law and lead a law-abiding, productive life."

Judge Boyce continued to say that probation would be difficult because Johansson would have to be barred from accessing the internet, which, in his opinion, is almost impossible to ensure.

"The court has to look at the fact that there are actual victims here," Judge Boyce said. "Although they may not be identified and may never be identified, they are victims of abhorrent sexual abuse that is filmed and becomes a form of online currency, currency for people that have an addiction."

The judge furthered his statement that by watching this material, it is incentivising others to continue making it.

"When I weigh this all out, despite noting the mitigation, ... the court finds that a sentence that is not a prison sentence would be inappropriate in this case," Judge Boyce said.

Johansson was sentenced to a fixed term of three years, with an indeterminate term of 7 years for count one, possession of sexually exploitative material, forming a 10-year sentence. Johansson was then sentenced to another three years fixed, followed by another 12 years indeterminate, creating a sentence of 15 years for count two, sexual exploitation of child distribution of sexually exploitative material. These sentences are to be served concurrently.

Johansson will also have to register as a sex offender.