Houston Man Convicted of Distributing Child Pornography
Bondage and other graphic material found on computer

HOUSTON - Houston resident Pedro Rosales, 32, has entered a plea to the charge of distribution of child pornography, United States Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Rosales was indicted on July 26, 2011, following an investigation conducted by the United States Secret Service and members of the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. That investigation revealed that Rosales was making child pornography available to others through the use of peer-to-peer software over the Internet. A special agent downloaded an image of child pornography from the extensive list Rosales was making available online. Rosales placed the images/videos in the “shared” folder on his computer thereby making them available to those using similar software. The images included children under the age of 12 being sexually violated by adults and children under the age of 12 in positions which caused their genitalia to be displayed in a lewd/lascivious manner. Bondage involving children was also present on the defendant’s computer.
 
There was one computer in the home when a search warrant was executed on Jan. 7, 2011. The examination of the computer revealed more than 600 digital images and approximately 36 videos which contained child pornography.

Investigation revealed that Rosales attempted to blame the presence of child pornography on a minor relative. In fact, according to court records, Rosales removed the minor from school and attempted to persuade him to take the blame for the child pornography believing that if the juvenile said the content was his that he would not be prosecuted due to his young age.

U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore, who presided over the guilty plea today, has set sentencing for April 2, 2012. At that time, Rosales faces a minimum sentence of five and up to 20 years imprisonment for the distribution of child pornography charges and a maximum fine of $250,000. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, Rosales also faces a maximum of life on supervised release during which the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children. Additionally, Rosales will have to register as a sex offender. Rosales has been in state custody since his arrest on similar state charges on Jan. 7, 2011.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri L. Zack, brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.