Corpus Christi Man Arrested for Distributing Child Pornography

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 24-year-old Corpus Christi man has been charged with distribution of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.

Authorities arrested Randy Michael Ramirez today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate B. Janice Ellington Monday at 2:00 p.m.  

According to the criminal complaint filed Nov. 15, Ramirez was communicating with an undercover officer and eventually sent the detective a link which contained 76 videos of child pornography. According to the charges, law enforcement seized a cellular telephone from Ramirez’s residence which resulted in the discovery of more than 80 images and 12 videos of child pornography.

If convicted, Ramirez faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.