A federal jury in Aberdeen, South Dakota, has found Vincent Michael Perez, age 36, of Watertown, South Dakota, guilty of one count of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography and one count of Transportation of Child Pornography.
According to Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes, Perez was found guilty of knowingly receiving and distributing child pornography using a MeWe social media account between August 7 and August 17, 2019. He also uploaded pornographic images of children to the same social media account.
Perez was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 17, 2020. The MeWe account contained numerous files of child pornography that Perez shared with other MeWe users.
Law enforcement investigated the case after receiving a cybertip generated by MeWe. A detective with the Watertown Police Department tracked the history of internet use to Perez.
The charges against Perez carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and a up to $5,200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Perez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for May 23, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Watertown Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
The defendant’s guilty verdict and subsequent charges are a stark reminder of the severity of child pornography laws and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. The Watertown Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are commended for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Ryan Davies, Child Pornography Possession, South Dakota 2018 · South Dakota
- Nathan Frisch, Child Pornography, South Dakota 2024 · South Dakota
- Nathan Frisch, Child Pornography Receipt, South Dakota 2024 · South Dakota
- Marc Jones, Child Pornography Possession, South Dakota 2024 · South Dakota
- Matthew Bowman, Child Pornography, South Dakota 2024 · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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