Fernando Solis, Possession of Child Pornography, Texas 2020

Austin Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Thousands of Images of Child Pornography

A 47-year-old man from Austin, Texas, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for possessing thousands of images of child pornography.

Fernando Solis, 47, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for possessing thousands of images of child pornography, said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.

Additionally, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Solis pay $36,000 in restitution to a dozen known child victims and be placed on supervised release for 10 years after completing his prison term.

The charges stemmed from an investigation that began in November 2018, when FBI agents executed a search warrant at Solis’s residence in Austin. During the search, agents seized Solis’s laptop, iPad, and related computer media, which revealed that he had received and made available for distribution more than 1,800 images or videos of child pornography.

Solis pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography on August 25, 2020. By pleading guilty, Solis admitted that from 2013 through 2018, he visited internet sites and used various chat applications to obtain child pornography, including live sex shows involving underage minors in the Philippines. Furthermore, Solis actively paid for access to child pornography by wiring money over 50 times to the Philippines in amounts ranging from $25 to $100.

A dozen victims submitted Victim Impact Statements to Judge Yeakel in support of their requests for restitution and justice.

“The sentence imposed reflects our office’s continued commitment in working with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and prosecute those who prey upon society’s most vulnerable victims—children,” said U.S. Attorney Hoff. “The victims’ voices have been heard and some measure of justice for their harm was served today.”

According to court records, on May 25, 1995, Solis was convicted of Attempted Sexual Battery of a Victim Under 12 Years of Age in Florida and sentenced to six years imprisonment.

“Every day, children around the world and in our community endure sexual exploitation to satisfy the endless and depraved demand for child sexual abuse material,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs. “The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force will relentlessly pursue every lead to rescue children who are being victimized and bring their perpetrators to justice. We would encourage members of the public to help us protect children who are the most vulnerable in our community.”

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