HOUSTON – A Houston man has been convicted of child exploitation and tax fraud charges, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss of IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI) and Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI.
Benjamin Douglas Guidry, 45, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children and for knowingly making a false claim in the nature of preparing and filing a false tax return. Guidry faces a minimum of 15 and up to 30 years for each of the sexual exploitation charges as well as a maximum of five years for the tax fraud. Each conviction also carries a possible fine of $250,000.
The investigation, led by IRS-CI special agents, uncovered evidence of tax crimes and disturbing images on Guidry’s computer, including at least 164 images and 28 videos of child pornography. Authorities also found items present in the video on Guidry’s cell phone, including clothes worn by one of identified minor victims in the video.
Guidry was arrested in May 2015, after authorities executed a search warrant at his place of business, Financial Precision Group, and seized several computers and boxes of documents. The FBI joined the investigation and later executed a search warrant at Guidry’s residence, where they seized a cell phone and multiple computers.
On two of Guidry’s external hard drives, authorities discovered a total of at least 164 images and 28 videos of child pornography. Additionally, a cell phone contained at least three videos of child pornography. One of the videos shows one of the minor victims being penetrated by an adult male. That video contains sounds from the victim demonstrating that the minor, who was protesting what was being done to her, was under the influence of a drug or was deeply sleeping.
As to the tax offense, Guidry agreed in the plea agreement that the intended income tax loss was between $250,000 and $550,000. U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. accepted the plea today and has set sentencing for Jan. 5, 2017.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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