Former counselor takes gamble on child porn plea deal

TAMPA (FOX 13) - After wrestling over a state deal for months, defendant Johnny Boromei - accused of possessing child pornography - took a gamble with his life in court Tuesday.

His attorney, Michael Maddux told the judge, "We're going to ask the court to take an open plea and set off sentencing."

The former psychotherapist passed on a five-year prison sentence offered by the state.

Boromei faces 28 counts of child pornography, with each count carrying a maximin of 15 years in prison. That would essentially be a life sentence.

But on Tuesday, Boromei pleaded guilty to the charges and will let the judge decide his fate.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Mark Kiser wanted to make sure Boromei understood what he was doing.

"You are willing to plea guilty in open court with no agreement or promises as to what your sentence will be?" asked Kiser.

Boromei replied yes.

Last spring, Boromei was busted with child porn during an undercover sting. Prosecutors say he admitted to downloading the lewd images,

Boromei says he made no such admittance.

"What I said I believe is I was downloading porn, not child porn. I said that to my girlfriend not knowing we were being recorded," said Boromei.

Now he hopes the judge cuts him a break when he is sentenced in November.

Maddux told FOX 13 his client has a lot of family and community support.

"There is powerful evidence that shows his true character and his worthiness as a person," said Maddux.

He plans to present all of that evidence during his sentencing on November 3.