US publishing exec faces child-porn charges

WASHINGTON - A former publishing executive who headed New York's state education board has been indicted on child-pornography charges, US authorities said on Tuesday.

Robert Johnson, 59, faces up to 50 years in prison and a fine of up to US$750,000 ($1,072,000) for downloading child pornography including a movie titled Real Child Rape, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

He also faces obstruction-of-justice charges for trying to erase more than 12,000 files from his computer.

Johnson resigned abruptly in May 2004 as chief executive of the financial-printing firm Bowne & Co Inc and gave up his seat on New York State's Board of Regents, citing personal reasons.

He also has served as publisher of Long Island's Newsday newspaper for nine years.

A Bowne spokesman directed inquiries to Johnson's personal attorney, who was not immediately available for comment.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested nearly 6000 people over the past two years on child-pornography charges.

- REUTERS