A former CNN producer, previously implicated in the sexual abuse of a 9-year-old girl, received a prison sentence of over 19 years on Tuesday during a hearing held at a U.S. District Court in Vermont, according to federal authorities, Your Content has learned.
John Griffin, a 45-year-old resident of Norwalk, Connecticut, had pleaded guilty in December after being charged by a federal grand jury with multiple counts of using interstate commerce to coerce minors into engaging in illegal sexual activities at his ski house in Vermont.
In a news release, U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest stated, “John Griffin exploited his personal wealth to target and exploit vulnerable young girls.”
Court records revealed that Griffin used online messaging platforms such as Kik and Google Hangouts to contact parents of underage girls, persuading them to allow him to train their daughters in sexual submission.
Griffin’s criminal actions came to light when, in July 2020, he paid a mother and her 9-year-old daughter from Nevada, whom he had met online, more than $3,000 for their trip to Boston’s Logan Airport.
From there, he drove them to his residence in Ludlow, Vermont. Griffin admitted to authorities that he subjected the young girl to “sexual training,” involving coerced sexual acts and engaging in bondage and sadomasochistic activities.
During the hearing, which included a video link to the girl and her grandmother, the grandmother addressed Griffin, saying, “The child you violated is my granddaughter. You have forever shattered the life of a 9-year-old girl.” The young victim herself expressed her loss of trust, stating, “I will never trust anyone again. You make me feel sad and angry.”
A statement from the Department of Justice issued last year revealed that Griffin propagated the belief that “a woman is a woman regardless of her age” and advocated for women to be subservient and inferior to men.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppi stated, “Mr. Griffin preyed on a vulnerable woman and her child, using his wealth to manipulate and sexually exploit them. This sentence reinforces the message that law enforcement will not tolerate the victimization of children.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Griffin has been ordered to pay approximately $1.1 million in restitution to the child victim.
He will also forfeit his Tesla, which he used for transportation purposes, and other assets.
As part of a plea deal, federal authorities dropped two remaining counts of enticement of a minor against Griffin in 2022.
Griffin’s LinkedIn profile indicated his previous employment on CNN’s “New Day,” a show hosted by former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.
He claimed to have worked closely with Cuomo on producing live breaking news across the country and worldwide.
Griffin’s professional history also includes roles as a producer at ABC, Fox News, and CBS.
In addition to his prison sentence, Griffin will be subject to 15 years of supervised release.
The terms of his release prohibit him from having contact with individuals under 18 years of age, unless in the presence of another approved adult designated by a probation officer.
He is also barred from entering areas where children congregate, including schools, playgrounds, and theme parks, unless granted prior approval by the probation office.
U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III referred to Griffin’s actions as “outrageous” and deemed them deserving of a severe penalty, according to The Daily Wire.