United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

FEDERAL INDICTMENT CHARGES SAN ANGELO, TEXAS, MAN
WITH RECEIVING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Six-Count Indictment Also Charges Possession of Child Pornography,
Receipt of Child Obscenity

LUBBOCK, Tx. — U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper, of the Northern District of Texas, announced that a federal grand jury in Lubbock returned an indictment today charging San Angelo, Texas, resident Oscar Joel Martinez with four counts of receipt of child pornography, one count of receipt of child obscenity, and one count of possession of child pornography.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted on all counts, Oscar Joel Martinez, 53, faces a maximum statutory sentence of 110 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

U.S. Attorney Roper commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service, the San Angelo Police Department, and the North Texas Electronic Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy of the Lubbock, Texas, U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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