LAREDO, Texas – In a chilling revelation, Alfredo Gutierrez-Cantu, a 28-year-old Mexican national, has been indicted for possession, receipt, and distribution of child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Originally charged by criminal complaint on August 21, Gutierrez-Cantu remains in custody pending further criminal proceedings. The defendant is expected to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge in Laredo soon, where the charges against him will be presented.
The evidence against Gutierrez-Cantu began with the discovery of a Google account linked to a Laredo address containing child sexual assault material (CSAM). Authorities allege that the defendant was the owner of this account and resided at the location. The charges claim he frequented group chats where links led him to a site hosting approximately 500 CSAM files.
A search warrant executed by authorities resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices, which were allegedly found to contain numerous CSAM images and videos. One particularly disturbing video depicted three minors engaged in sexual acts that Gutierrez-Cantu reportedly “forgot to delete” because he was too busy with other activities, according to the charges.
Ganjei expressed his firm stance on border security and the apprehension of those who engage in child sexual abuse: “The allegations, if true, demonstrate that the defendant is somebody who shouldn’t be in our country, and definitely shouldn’t be out walking the streets of our community. The Southern District of Texas won’t pull any punches when it comes to border security or the investigation and apprehension of those who consume child sexual abuse materials.”
If convicted, Gutierrez-Cantu faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, Laredo Child Exploitation Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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