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

LAREDO, Texas - A local mechanic has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Janice Ayala in San Antonio and Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar.

Gamaliel Cortez-Mendoza, 43, an illegal alien residing in Laredo, has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. Cortez-Mendoza is a mechanic at a local logistics company.

Cortez-Mendoza was arrested yesterday following an investigation by the Laredo Child Exploitation Task Force led by HSI and the Webb County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crime Unit with assistance from the Laredo Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Marshals Service.

He made his initial appearance this morning, at which time he was temporarily ordered into custody pending a preliminary examination and detention hearing set for Jan. 23, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga.

“This arrest illustrates the value of having a task force dedicated to protecting the children of this community,” said Ayala. “The concept for this task force was inspired by the many successes resulting from the strong partnership between HSI and Webb County, a partnership which was initiated at the direction of Sheriff Martin Cuellar.”

“Operation Child Guardian has proven to be a great success,” said Cuellar. “Since its inception in 2009, more than 40 suspected child predators have been taken off the streets. We will continue to aggressively target those individuals who prey on our children.”

The criminal complaint alleges Cortez-Mendoza utilized the Internet to download images depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Such images were allegedly downloaded multiple times over the past several months to a laptop computer that was seized from his possession.

If convicted, Cortez-Mendoza faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. Upon conviction, he will also be required to register as a sex offender.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa, 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.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/local-mechanic-charged-possessing-child-pornography