PROVIDENCE, RI – A Providence resident has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for possessing a cache of child pornography. Samuel Mendez-Garcia, aged 43, pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2018, admitting to belonging to an online group where he viewed and exchanged explicit content involving minors.
Mendez-Garcia’s downfall began when Facebook security personnel flagged his IP address for uploading child porn, leading to a Rhode Island State Police investigation. On July 19, 2018, the ICAC Task Force executed a search warrant at Mendez-Garcia’s residence and seized electronic devices containing numerous illicit images and videos.
The defendant was arrested on August 1, 2018, and has been detained since. His immigration status is also under scrutiny, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer against him after determining he entered the country illegally and had previously attempted to cross the border from Mexico.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams prosecuted the case. United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman expressed gratitude to the Newport Police Department for their contribution to the investigation.
The sentence handed down today marks a victory in the fight against child exploitation, with law enforcement agencies working together to protect our most vulnerable citizens.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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