Former Onslow Co. teacher/coach sentenced in child porn case

JACKSONVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A former Onslow County teacher and coach is heading to prison for child pornography.

A federal judge today sentenced John Tobias Sweeney to 6.5 years in prison followed by 15 years supervised release and a $10,000 fine. He must also register as a sex offender. Sweeney pleaded guilty in November to receipt of child pornography.

Sweeney quit his job as a teacher and soccer coach at Southwest Onslow High School after his December 2013 arrest for solicitation of a child by a computer or other electronic device to commit an unlawful sex act.

Prosecutors say the investigation started in March 2013 when law enforcement learned of a 12-year-old engaging in explicit communication with Sweeney online. They say Sweeney repeatedly requested sexually explicit images from the victim. That same month an undercover agent assumed the victim’s identity and communicated with Sweeney through September 2013.

In December 2013, investigators executed a search warrant at Sweeeny’s home and the high school. That led to the discovery that he used approximately 50 email accounts and fake profiles on chat sites and had nude images of minors on his phone. Forensic examination of Sweeney’s computer revealed nude images of the victim, which were also duplicated on his thumb drive.