Galveston resident sentenced for having pornographic images of children

HOUSTON – A 37-year-old Galveston resident was has handed a significant sentence for distribution and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Bryan Calderon pleaded guilty March 31, 2022.

Today, U.S. District Judge Brown sentenced him to 92 months each for the distribution and possession of child pornography convictions, respectively, both to be run concurrently. At the hearing, the court heard additional information regarding the vast collection of child pornography found in Calderon’s electronic devices after law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in February 2021.

Calderon was further ordered to pay restitution to the victims, but the specific amount will be determined at a later date. He must also serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Calderon will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

Calderon came to the attention of law enforcement based on a cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. An IP address appeared to be distributing child pornography to messenger groups using links to cloud storage files. The investigation led to Calderon and his residence in Galveston.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant and seized several electronic devices to include laptop computers and cell phones. Further analysis ultimately revealed Calderon possessed a total of 771 images depicting child pornography. His collection included prepubescent minors, bondage and bestiality involving minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Calderon will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S Bureau of Prisons facility in the near future.  

Homeland Security Investigations – Galveston and members of the Houston Metro Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherin Daniel and Kimberly A. Leo are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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 link on that page.