Allegany man, Olean woman charged with conspiracy to produce child pornography

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- An Allegany man and an Olean woman were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to produce child pornography, the United States Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Officials said on March 2, 2024, officers were called to Walmart in Olean for a report of a domestic dispute between Kayla Kio, 26 and her ex-boyfriend David Johnston, 55.

Kio said that in February 2024, Johnston allegedly asked her to produce and send to him sexually explicit videos of a 5-year-old child. Troopers then seized her cell phone and found multiple videos and images of child pornography.

Police executed a search warrant on March 13 at Johnston's residence where they seized four cell phones and a tablet, which allegedly contained videos of child pornography and sexually explicit communications exchanged between Kio and Johnston.

The two were both charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Johnston was charged with possessing a sexual performance of a child and Kio was charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child. Officials said in 2007, Johnston was also convicted of indecent assault and corruption of minors in McKean, PA.

The charge of conspiracy to produce child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years and a $250,000 fine.

Kio was released on conditions and Johnston is being held pending a detention hearing on Sept. 17.