Gilberto Valadez-Garcia, Distribution of Child Pornography, Alaska 2016

A Juneau man has been charged with distributing child pornography, a crime that can have serious consequences.

Gilberto Valadez-Garcia, a 39-year-old Mexican citizen living in Juneau, was arraigned on a single charge of distribution of child pornography. Valadez-Garcia pleaded not guilty to the charge and was ordered to be detained pending trial.

The indictment comes after an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If the public has any further information, questions, or concerns about the activities of Valadez-Garcia, they can contact the FBI at (907) 265-8254.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.

Valadez-Garcia faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine, or both if convicted. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Valadez-Garcia's trial is scheduled for June 20, 2016. The charges against him are serious, and he will need to prove his innocence in court. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/juneau-man-indicted-distribution-child-pornography-0