U.S. Attorney, Homeland Security Investigations Secure 17-Year Sentence in Child Exploitation Case

ALBUQUERQUE – An El Paso man was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for his role in a cross-border conspiracy to distribute child pornography, following an investigation that uncovered thousands of explicit images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, including infants.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, between April 28, 2022, and April 24, 2023, Yamil Pillado, 23, and his cousin, Ryan Gallardo, engaged in a conspiracy to send and receive images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material via various online platforms. Pillado and Gallardo used WhatsApp and the MEGA file hosting service to exchange these illegal materials across state lines, with Pillado located in Texas and Gallardo in New Mexico.

During the investigation, law enforcement uncovered extensive conversations between Pillado and Gallardo discussing their mutual sexual interest in minors, including infants. The cousins exchanged numerous files containing sexually explicit images and videos of children.

Specifically, on April 29, 2022, Gallardo sent Pillado several videos showing an adult male sexually abusing a prepubescent female. On July 5, 2022, Pillado reciprocated by sending Gallardo an image of a minor female being sexually exploited.

A search of Pillado's phone uncovered more than 2,000 files containing child sexual abuse material.

Upon his release from prison, Pillado will be subject to 20 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

Gallardo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and receive child pornography and remains in custody pending sentencing which is current scheduled for July 17, 2024. At sentencing Gallardo faces up to 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations - El Paso, made the announcement today.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the El Paso Police Department and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa A. Ong and A’Kiesha Soliman are prosecuting the case.

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