Tong Sun, Transporting Child Pornography, Texas 2024

Tong Sun, a 45-year-old Chinese national, has been accused of transporting child pornography into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Sun on an unknown date. Sun was already in custody following charges in a criminal complaint and is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott Hacker in the near future.

Authorities encountered Sun illegally entering the United States in early May. A search of Sun’s phone on May 8 revealed videos containing child pornography. According to the charges, one video depicted a minor female believed to be younger than five years of age and was over three minutes in length.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter I. Brostowin is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

If convicted, Sun faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Sun’s case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the United States. The indictment serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to identify and prosecute individuals who engage in such egregious crimes.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Sex Crimes

Scott Jacob Smith, Possession and Receipt of Child Pornography, Iowa 2018

Feb 14, 2018

Sex Crimes

Kelbert Jay Nez, Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Arizona 2013

Jan 7, 2015

Sex Crimes

Albert Frank Garza, Failure to Register as Sex Offender, Texas 2023

Nov 18, 2020

Sex Crimes

Matthew Gamel, Child Pornography Production and Receipt, Missouri 2023

Dec 5, 2023