Luis Moreno, Child Pornography, New Mexico 2020

A disturbing case of child pornography has come to light in Sunland Park, New Mexico, where a man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for producing a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Luis Moreno, 40, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was sentenced on February 18, 2020, in federal court in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to 25 years in prison for production of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Moreno previously pleaded guilty to this offense on November 13, 2019. According to public court documents, Moreno admitted using a video camera on his mobile phone to record a 12-year-old child engaged in sexual explicit acts.

The Homeland Security Investigations and the Sunland Park Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa A. Ong prosecuted this case as part of the Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Moreno must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after completing his sentence and pay $30,000 in restitution.

Individuals with information relating to suspected child predators and suspected child abuse are encouraged to contact the Children’s Advocacy Center tip line at (575) 526-3437.

This case is a stark reminder of the severity of child pornography and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.

The exact criminal charges against Luis Moreno are production of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Moreno's sentence of 25 years in prison is a significant outcome in this case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/man-sunland-park-new-mexico-sentenced-25-years-federal-prison-child-pornography-charges