Hondo, TX Man Sentenced to Over 15 Years for Child Porn Distribution

Hondo, TX Man Sentenced to Over 15 Years for Child Porn Distribution

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: In a grim ruling from Del Rio, Texas, 46-year-old Bryan DeWain Splawn was yesterday sentenced to serve 188 months in federal prison for distributing child pornography. United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden announced the sentence.

Splawn’s sentencing hearing occurred on Monday, where United States District Judge Alia Moses also mandated a ten-year supervised release following his prison term’s completion.

Accused of seeking minor females online for sex, Splawn pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography on July 28, 2016. HSI initiated their investigation in December 2015 after encountering the defendant during an online exchange. During this period, Splawn transmitted five videos containing child pornography to an undercover agent via email.

On December 19, 2015, Hondo Police Department’s assistance was crucial as HSI agents arrested Splawn without incident. He has been held in federal custody since then.

Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden emphasized the importance of such investigations in removing child predators from the streets: ‘HSI investigations help protect children by taking child predators off the internet and off the streets by putting them behind bars,’ he said.

The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a justice department initiative aimed at combating the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew H. Watters handled the prosecution.