Corpus Christi Man Sentenced For Possessing Child Pornography

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Corpus Christi resident Paul Pittman, 45, has been sentenced to seven years for possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Pittman pleaded guilty Oct. 3, 2013.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos handed Pittman a total sentence of 84 months in federal prison to be followed by a 15-year-term of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court considered the need to protect the public and deter future criminal behavior by Pittman and others. Pittman will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Pittman came to the attention of law enforcement following a complaint at a Wal-Mart in Corpus Christi alleging an unknown male had inappropriate contact with a minor female. Pittman was identified as the suspect by witnesses to the incident and he was arrested. At that time, he was in possession of a cell phone which was subsequently searched, resulting in the discovery of numerous images of child pornography.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Corpus Christi Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lance Duke, 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."