A former FBI electronics technician has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting minors. U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire announced Monday that Justin Carroll was convicted by a jury of one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, two counts of receipt of child pornography and three counts of transferring obscene material to a minor under 16. Between June 2020 and April 2021, Carroll engaged in sexually explicit online conversations and exchanged images with three 14-year-old girls he met through social media and chat platforms.

Prosecutors said his crimes came to light after one of the victims mailed him a Valentine’s Day package at the FBI office where he worked. Authorities later uncovered explicit images on Carroll’s social media accounts and cellphone, as well as images of him on devices belonging to the minors. Despite receiving an email from one girl’s mother alerting him to her age, Carroll continued to communicate with the victim.

“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,” said Acting U.S. Attorney McGuire. FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph Carrico added, “No matter who you are, you will be brought to justice if you are found guilty of such criminal behavior.” Following his prison term, Carroll will serve 10 years of supervised release, according to authorities. The case was investigated by the FBI offices in Nashville and Providence, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica R. Morrison and Juliet Aldridge prosecuted the case. Get reports like this and all the news of the day in Middle Tennessee delivered to your inbox each morning with the .