CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – On June 25, 2025, John James Dixon, 41, of Dubuque, Iowa, was sentenced to 42 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child and distributing child pornography. The sentencing, handed down by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams, followed Dixon’s guilty plea on January 22, 2025, to the charges.

Evidence presented during the sentencing hearing revealed that between August 2023 and May 2024, Dixon, along with co-conspirator Justin James Paisley, engaged in sexual acts with a prepubescent child on multiple occasions. The two photographed and videotaped the child in sexual conduct, sharing the images via text messages. Paisley also captured and sent Dixon a photograph of a second prepubescent child engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Dixon’s sentence includes 504 months in prison, a $6,000 special assessment, and a 5-year term of supervised release following his incarceration. With no parole available in the federal system, he will remain in custody until transported to a federal prison.

This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The program coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to apprehend offenders and rescue victims. For more details, visit http://www.usdoj.gov/psc, which also offers internet safety education resources.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department.