Corpus Christi man sentenced for sexual exploitation of a child

Editor's Note:
This matter occurred on date indicated, but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.   

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 20-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to prison for distribution of child sexual abuse material, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Angel Valdez pleaded guilty April 28.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now sentenced Valdez to 72 months in federal prison. In handing down the prison term, the court noted the severity of the offense and Valdez’s past criminal conduct. Valdez was further ordered to serve 10 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Valdez will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

The investigation began in December 2023 when Valdez left a comment on a social media page supporting the work of an individual sentenced to prison in Australia for animal cruelty. Australian law enforcement subsequently began undercover conversations with Valdez, in which he spoke about his interest in animal cruelty and CSAM.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant June 28, 2024, which resulted in the discovery of a laptop containing CSAM. Valdez also admitted he had participated in distributing CSAM.

Valdez will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of authorities in Australia.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.