Alexander Balding, Child Pornography Distribution & Possession, New Mexico 2016

Grimy Times has learned that Alexander Balding, 20, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was arraigned on federal charges of child pornography distribution and possession in a federal court in Albuquerque. The charges stem from an investigation by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the Albuquerque office of the FBI.

According to the indictment, Balding distributed child pornography in April 2016 and possessed child pornography for an unknown period of time that ended on April 27, 2016. The indictment alleges that Balding committed the crimes in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

Balding was arrested on May 4, 2016, on a criminal complaint alleging that he distributed and possessed child pornography in April 2016, in Bernalillo County. The investigation into Balding began on April 6, 2016, when the FBI received a report from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) identifying an IP address that was being used to share child pornography files.

The complaint alleges that investigators were able to download a number of child pornography files from the computer at the IP address on April 27, 2016. It is further alleged that the investigation revealed that the IP address was subscribed to a person residing in Balding’s home and the files containing child pornography were allegedly downloaded exclusively by Balding.

On April 27, 2016, a search warrant was executed at Balding’s residence, and law enforcement officers seized a computer and external hard drive allegedly containing more than 100 files of child pornography. Balding was arrested that day on related state charges, which have since been dismissed in favor of federal prosecution.

If convicted on the distribution of child pornography charge, Balding faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. If convicted on the possession charge, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the BCSO and the Albuquerque office of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathon M. Gerson is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The case also was brought as a part of the New Mexico ICAC Task Force’s mission, which is to locate, track, and capture Internet child sexual predators and Internet child pornographers in New Mexico. There are 82 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies associated with the New Mexico ICAC Task Force, which is funded by a grant administered by the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Sex Crimes

Gamaliel Cortez-Mendoza, Possession of Child Pornography, Texas 2015

Apr 30, 2015

Sex Crimes

Steven John Sokel, Sexual Exploitation of Children, Minnesota 2022

Apr 23, 2024

Sex Crimes

Santiago Elliot J., SORNA Violation, West Virginia 2023

Jan 2, 2025

Sex Crimes

John Ray Heath, Attempted Enticement of a Minor, South Dakota 2023

Mar 29, 2023