Grimy Times has learned that a former Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officer has been arrested and charged with receiving and possessing child pornography. Nelson Begay, 32, of Albuquerque, was taken into custody this afternoon after a federal search warrant was executed at his residence.
The arrest comes just hours after Begay resigned from his position as an officer with the APD. Begay is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court tomorrow morning, where he will face charges of receiving and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
According to the criminal complaint, Begay’s IP address was identified as being used to share files containing child pornography in September 2013. A subsequent investigation revealed that the IP address was subscribed to Begay at a residential address in northeast Albuquerque.
On November 7, 2013, a federal search warrant was executed at Begay’s residence, and computers and computer-related media were seized. A preliminary forensic examination of a laptop computer taken from a bedroom allegedly used by Begay recovered more than 30 images consistent with child pornography.
Acting U.S. Attorney Steven C. Yarbrough, Special Agent in Charge Dennis A. Ulrich, II, of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in El Paso, Texas, and New Mexico Attorney General Gary K. King announced the arrest. If convicted, Begay faces a federal prison term of not less than five years and not more than 20 years. He would also be required to register as a sex offender.
The investigation was conducted by the Albuquerque office of HSI and the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob A. Wishard as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
HSI Special Agent in Charge Dennis A. Ulrich, II, expressed his appreciation to Chief Allen Banks of the Albuquerque Police Department for the Department’s cooperation in the investigation of this case.
The New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which is funded by a grant administered by the NMAGO, also played a role in the investigation. Anyone with information relating to suspected child predators and suspected child abuse is encouraged to contact federal or local law enforcement.
Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations, and criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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