FRANKLIN COUNTY — A 38-year-old Belle Rive man was sentenced Thursday in Franklin County Court to 30 months probation after he pleaded guilty to the lesser felony charge of traveling to meet a minor.

In May of 2023, West City police arrested Brian C. Johnson, of East Saddle Club Road in Belle Rive, following a month-long investigation.

Johnson was facing charges of Class X felony child pornography, four Class 4 felony counts of grooming a child, one Class 3 charge of traveling to meet a child, and four misdemeanor counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

On Thursday, Johnson pleaded guilty to the Class 3 felony charge in exchange for the other nine charges being dismissed.

He was sentenced to 30 months probation and 26 days in jail with credit for 26 days served.