Press Release
Warden, Washington Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography and Firearm Offenses
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Washington
Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Alfredo Mendoza, age 34, of Warden, Washington, was sentenced today after having previously plead guilty on August 30, 2016, to Production of Child Pornography and to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Mendoza to a 15-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a ten-year term of court supervision after he is released from Federal prison. In addition, Mendoza will be required to register as a sex offender.
According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, in November 2015, Mendoza was under investigation for his potential involvement in a series of gang-related drive-by shootings that had occurred in Grant County, Washington. Law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for Mendoza’s residence. Upon executing the warrant, they discovered a loaded 9mm revolver in Mendoza’s bedroom. The firearm was forensically examined and Mendoza’s thumb print was found on it. His cellular telephone was also seized from the bedroom, which telephone was thereafter examined pursuant to a court-authorized search warrant to look for evidence of the earlier gang-related shootings.
When law enforcement officers discovered images of child pornography while examining Mendoza’s phone, they obtained a second search warrant. The officers’ follow-on investigation revealed that Mendoza had directed an underage girl to take pornographic photos of herself and text them to him. He had also created videos of sexual acts with the girl. Some of the images were taken in Mendoza’s bedroom and, in one video, he can be seen setting up the camera. Mendoza knew the victim was a minor at the time. The girl was a friend of Mendoza’s daughter and lived with him for a time.
At the sentencing hearing today, the Judge emphasized that the victim “was a child” and that he was troubled by “the manner in which [Mendoza] manipulated” her. The Judge also stated that Mendoza “had an opportunity to right this ship” and step away from his long history of gang-related violence, telling him “you created this and now you have theability to change.”
Michael C. Ormsby said, “This case is a superb example of the excellent work that can be accomplished when state and federal law enforcement work together. I commend the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Today’s sentence should serve as a warning that child pornography and firearm offenses will be actively and aggressively pursued by federal and state law enforcement officers.”
This investigation was conducted by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Alison L. Gregoire and Allyson Edwards, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Updated November 10, 2016
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