Bridge City Man Convicted in Child Porn Case

BRIDGE CITY, TX – Dereck Wayne Winstead, 34, of Bridge City, is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after being found guilty this week of possessing child pornography. The conviction comes after a jury trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone, and marks another win for federal investigators battling the spread of this horrific material.

The case began in 2020 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) flagged suspicious online activity originating from Orange County, Texas. NCMEC forwarded two cyber tips to federal agents, indicating someone in the area was accessing and hoarding images depicting the sexual abuse of children. The feds didn’t waste time; they immediately launched an investigation to pinpoint the source.

That investigation quickly zeroed in on Winstead. Evidence showed he was the user behind the accounts accessing the illegal content. On March 30, 2022, federal agents executed a search of his residence. The search wasn’t a smash-and-grab; Winstead reportedly consented to the search of his property, a decision that ultimately sealed his fate.

Inside, investigators seized four electronic devices, including a custom-built gaming computer. A forensic examination of that computer revealed a sickening cache of over 300 images and videos of child pornography. The content wasn’t just disturbing; it included depictions of children under the age of twelve, escalating the severity of the charges against Winstead.

U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs announced the conviction, stating that his office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who exploit and endanger children. “This isn’t about ‘technical’ crimes,” Diggs said in a statement. “This is about the irreparable harm done to vulnerable victims, and we will pursue these cases relentlessly.”

Winstead now faces up to 20 years behind bars. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date, and the U.S. Probation Office will conduct a pre-sentencing investigation to provide Judge Crone with a comprehensive assessment of Winstead’s background and potential risk factors. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative aimed at combating the online exploitation of children.

Homeland Security Investigations’ Beaumont Resident Agency assisted in the investigation, highlighting the multi-agency cooperation crucial to tackling these complex crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Grove and Jonathan Lee led the prosecution, ensuring Winstead was held accountable for his actions. This conviction sends a clear message: those who prey on children will face the full force of the law.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing. For those impacted by child sexual abuse, resources are available through NCMEC and other organizations dedicated to helping victims and preventing further exploitation.

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