Brownsville man gets prison for child porn charges
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 23-year-old south Texas man has been ordered to federal prison for possessing child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Gene Surf Silva pleaded guilty March 24.
On April 27, 2023, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera sentenced him to 121 months in federal prison. He will also serve 20 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Silva was further ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to five known victims and will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
In September 2018, authorities learned Silva was addicted to child pornography. The investigation revealed he had possibly acted on his impulses and victimized a child.
Law enforcement executed a warrant on his residence and obtained his computer. Forensic analysis revealed 600 images and 11 video files of a minor from Sugar Land in his possession as well as 800 additional images of child pornography.
Gene Surf Silva has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations’ Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikki Piquette is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The case against Silva is a prime example of the efforts made by law enforcement agencies to protect children from predators. Silva’s actions have caused immense harm to the victims, and his sentence reflects the severity of his crimes.
Related Federal Cases
- Daniel Ramirez-Tobias, Receipt of Child Pornography, Texas 2023 · Texas
- Jesus Salvador Lara-Perez, Receipt of Child Pornography, Texas 2024 · Texas
- Jimmy Gordon, Production of Child Pornography, Texas 2023 · Texas
- David Medina, Child Pornography Distribution, Texas 2024 · Texas
- Adam Thomas Simington, Child Pornography Possession, Texas 2017 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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