(Hernando County, FL) Today, the Office of State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces the conviction of 45-year-old Andrew Paul Johnson on charges related to his 2025 arrest. In the courtroom of Judge Stephen E. Toner, Johnson was found guilty of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Victim less than 12 years of age, Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Victim 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age, two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition, and Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor by Electronic Device. Johnson will be sentenced at a later date but faces a 25-year minimum-mandatory sentence, with exposure of up to Life in prison.

In July of 2025, deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Brooksville in reference to a sex offense. When law enforcement arrived on scene, they were informed by the complainant that two juvenile victims stated they were both inappropriately touched by Johnson. Furthermore, the complainant provided deputies with a cell phone found in possession of the first victim, who indicated Johnson had provided the device to talk to them.

Additionally, authorities observed numerous messages on a computer from the Discord application between one of the victims and Johnson that were sexually explicit in nature. Deputies photographed the inappropriate images and communications. In the messages, Johnson attempted to have the victim download another application for a more private conversation and encouraged the victim to delete their messages afterwards.

Law enforcement and You Thrive Child Advocacy Center’s child protective team conducted interviews with both victims. The first victim recounted specific details of events, as well as various locations where these acts occurred. The victim disclosed that some incidents occurred in the presence of the second victim. The victim further advised that Johnson would buy the victim various gifts and food in an attempt to keep the victim from reporting him. The victim stated the defendant once said to never tell anyone, due to the fact that he would get into trouble.

During the interviews with the second victim, the victim disclosed several instances of inappropriate touching by the defendant and even corroborated statements made by the first victim.

Assistant State Attorneys Kasey Whitson and Rob Lewis successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 02/11/2026.