Mexican citizen imprisoned for downloading sexually explicit videos of minors

McALLEN, Texas - A 32-year-old Mexican man residing in Donna has been sentenced for using peer-to-peer (P2P) applications to download child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Angel DeJesus Torres pleaded guilty Jan. 19.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Torres to serve 72 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information that Torres used numerous P2P applications to download child pornography. Torres was found in possession of 43 videos and 3,225 images of child pornography including prepubescent children aged four to nine as well as minors subjected to acts of bondage. Torres was further ordered to pay $45,000 in restitution to the victims. He will also serve five years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. Torres will also be ordered to register as a sex offender and as a non-U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings.

In October 2018, authorities conducted an investigation identifying persons using P2P software to traffic in child pornography. During that time, they identified an IP address in Donna offering to participate in the distribution of images and child pornography.

In May 2019, authorities executed a federal search warrant at the address in Donna and identified Torres as one of the occupants. At that time, law enforcement seized two cellphones including Torres' personal phone. Forensic analysis of Torres' phone revealed 43 videos of child pornography including prepubescent minors under the age of 12.

Torres admitted to frequently downloading, receiving and possessing child pornography.

Torres will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ's PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.