Felipe Hernandez-Mata, Producing and Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material, Texas 2023

State: Texas
Agency: DOJ USAO
Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Human Trafficking
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/illegal-alien-sentenced-20-years-producing-child-sexual-abuse-material" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Official Source ↗

LAREDO, Texas – A 45-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced for sexual exploitation of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Felipe Hernandez-Mata pleaded guilty March 3 to producing and distributing child sexual abuse material. U.S. District Judge John Kazen sentenced him to serve 240 months in federal prison. As an illegal alien, Hernandez-Mata is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.

At the hearing, a relative of the victim described how the family trusted Hernandez-Mata and were shocked by his actions, noting the profound impact on the child. The court emphasized that Hernandez-Mata effectively destroyed the minor’s life through exploitation and has been ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution. He will also serve 10 years of supervised release after his prison term.

Hernandez-Mata admitted to asking a minor for nude images and videos in exchange for money and sending her a photo of his genitalia. The investigation began when a relative reported suspicious communications. Forensic analysis of the victim’s cell phone revealed extensive abuse material, including payments from Hernandez-Mata.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine A. Cortez prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation.

Ganjei emphasized that the Southern District of Texas is committed to keeping individuals like Hernandez-Mata out of the country and away from children.

RELATED: Cartel Kingpin Gets 20 Years

Related Federal Cases