A Plano, Illinois man is facing federal charges after investigators say he persuaded a 13-year-old girl in the United Kingdom to make and send sexually explicit videos, some involving dangerous acts, shortly before her she was found dead in May.
In a complaint unsealed this week, federal prosecutors charged 27-year-old Khamryn “Neato” Johnson with production and possession of child pornography. The criminal complaint, filed in Chicago federal court last week, details disturbing exchanges between Johnson and the girl via WhatsApp in the days leading up to her death.
In one exchange, Johnson allegedly told her to choke herself until her face changed color, write degrading phrases on her body, and record everything for him. Johnson also sent her explicit videos of himself, prosecutors allege.
According to the affidavit, the girl produced multiple sexually explicit videos at Johnson’s direction, some of which involved self-asphyxiation with an Apple Watch charging cord and referring to herself as the property of “Neato.”
“Choke yourself until your face changes color,” he allegedly instructed her on May 17.
On May 21, prosecutors allege, Johnson exchanged messages with the girl, giving her explicit instructions for a video he wanted to receive.
“[I]n the next video I want you to torture yourself,” he allegedly wrote. “[Y]ou must sit on the bottom bunk and hang yourself like I taught you.”
The next day, the girl’s mother found her nude and unresponsive, hanging from her bed by an Apple Watch cord. She remained on life support until she died four days later.
Authorities in the UK traced the chats to a U.S. phone number registered in the Chicago area. Homeland Security Investigations agents linked that number to Johnson through social media, payment accounts, and records from his residence in Plano.
Images and video stills recovered from the chats showed a man matching Johnson’s appearance, including his glasses, hairstyle, and vehicle, according to the complaint. Investigators allege that one of those photos was taken inside a Toyota Scion and included a glimpse of homes that are located across the street from Johnson’s residence. Johnson drives a Toyota Scion.
The filing also alleges that Johnson has a history of possessing child pornography. Investigators cited earlier reports from Snapchat and Dropbox that flagged his accounts in 2021 and 2023 for uploading videos involving prepubescent children.
