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Rogelio Pruneda III, 29, Sentenced to 9 Years for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material
A 29-year-old Rio Grande Valley resident has been sentenced to 9 years in federal prison for distributing videos of sexual activity to a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Rogelio Pruneda III pleaded guilty to the charges on June 2. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Pruneda to serve 108 months in federal prison, noting the age gap between Pruneda and the victim.
The court also heard testimony from the victim’s parent, who asked for Pruneda to be held accountable and receive appropriate treatment. The court found that Pruneda attempted to obstruct justice by attempting to contact witnesses in the investigation.
Pruneda was further ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victim and will serve five years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet.
According to the investigation, Pruneda used a minor relative to find the female victim, whom he offered money and THC vape cartridges in exchange for sexual acts. He subsequently recorded the acts and sent two videos to the victim. The victim’s parent discovered the relationship and reported it to authorities, prompting the investigation.
“Here, Pruneda sought out a victim online and plied her with offers of money and other goods. This methodical plan demonstrates just how dangerous and calculating he is,” said Ganjei. “The Southern District of Texas will do whatever it takes to protect the innocence of the children of our community and punish—to the maximum extent the law allows—those who take that innocence away.”
Pruneda has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Hidalgo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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