Christina Cortez, Child Pornography, Texas 2024

Corpus Christi, TX – A shocking case of child exploitation has come to light in Corpus Christi, Texas, as a local daycare worker and her accomplice have been indicted on charges of producing and distributing child pornography.

Christina Cortez, 38, of Corpus Christi, allegedly produced the graphic images while working at a daycare facility in Corpus Christi and further distributed them to Matthew Harbin, 29, of Brownsville. Harbin was also indicted on charges of producing child pornography.

Cortez was ordered into custody following a detention hearing held after the filing of a criminal complaint. At that hearing, the court found probable cause that she committed the crimes alleged and a danger to the community, and ordered her to be detained pending further criminal proceedings. Harbin was already in state custody on related charges and has been transferred to federal custody.

The indictment charges both Cortez and Harbin with production of child pornography, a federal offense that carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison.

According to the criminal complaint, the case began after Harbin was identified as providing images to an undercover officer in England. Using the email address dirtysickmind@yahoo.com, Harbin allegedly first provided three photos of a child clothed and not sexually posed, but that appeared to be taken at a daycare facility. The complaint alleges that he stated he had more pictures, wanted to trade, and asked the person if they had a daughter and how young they were “in to.”

Further investigation revealed that Harbin had previously received the images from Cortez in July 2014, according to the complaint. In their communications, Cortez claimed to work at a daycare facility where she allegedly obtained the images. Cortez allegedly sent images of the same female child involved in sexually explicit conduct, including one image that depicts the child laying down on a blue mat with her dress lifted and her lower body exposed.

The charges are the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Corpus Christi Police Department – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

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