Corpus Christi Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Pornography

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Billy Joe Moreno, 43, of Corpus Christi, has pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Today, the court heard that officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD), while using peer-to-peer software, were able to successfully download various files containing child pornography from an IP address that was associated with Moreno. As a result of this information, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was contacted to assist in the investigation.

In July 2015, agents executed a search warrant at Moreno’s residence and seized a laptop computer. Forensic analysis on the computer revealed a total of 280 videos of child pornography. Moreno admitted to having downloaded child pornography for several years.

Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack accepted the guilty plea today and set sentencing for Feb. 26, 2016. At that time, Moreno faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, Moreno also faces a maximum of life on supervised release during which time the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children and prohibit the use of the Internet.

Moreno was arrested on the federal charges in October 2015 and has been in custody since that time where he will remain pending his sentencing.

The charges against Moreno were the result of an investigation conducted by the CCPD - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with the assistance of HSI.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez, 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."