Vallejo Resident Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Possession Of Child Pornography

Press Release

Defendant Also Sexually Abused Several Minors in His Extended Family, According to the Government's Sentencing Submission

SAN FRANCISCO - Jose Navarro Mendoza has been sentenced to 120 months in prison following his conviction for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was imposed on April 12, 2024, by the Hon. Charles R. Breyer, Senior United States District Judge.

Navarro Mendoza, 45, a resident of Vallejo, California, pleaded guilty in May 2023 to one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). He was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2022.

According to the government's sentencing memorandum, the defendant possessed more than 1,500 images and videos of child pornography on his electronic devices, including nearly 100 files depicting sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. Additional evidence found on the defendant's electronic devices suggested he used social media and/or messaging apps to participate in chat groups where users posted and exchanged child pornography, the government said in its sentencing submission.

The government further argued in its sentencing papers that the defendant groomed and sexually abused several members of his extended family when they were 6 to 11 years old. These victims included two minors who told investigators that the defendant had rubbed their bodies, including their genitalia.

In addition to sentencing Navarro Mendoza to prison, Judge Breyer ordered the defendant to serve five years of supervised release to begin after his prison term is completed.

Assistant United States Attorney Jared Buszin is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Christine Tian. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

Updated April 17, 2024