Retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer And Former Mayor Of Brooksville Charged With Child Exploitation Offenses

According to the criminal complaint, in September and December 2020, investigators identified a certain internet protocol address as having distributed images and a video depicting child pornography. Further investigation traced the IP address used to distribute the files to Hohn’s residence in Brooksville. Investigators determined that Hohn is a retired Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and former mayor of the City of Brooksville.

On February 19, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at Hohn’s residence. Upon entry into the home, they found Hohn sitting in his office at a computer that was connected to an external hard drive. An examination of the external hard drive revealed more than 100 images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Within these images, investigators discovered images of apparent child pornography that had been covertly recorded inside of Hohn’s home.

A criminal complaint is only an allegation and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin C. Favorit.

This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.