Illegal alien sentenced to 20 years for producing child sexual abuse material

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.   

LAREDO, Texas – A 45-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced for sexual exploitation of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Felipe Hernandez-Mata pleaded guilty March 3.

U.S. District Judge John Kazen has sentenced Hernandez-Mata to serve 240 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court also heard additional information from the victim’s relative who described how the family trusted Hernandez-Mata and were shocked by what he did, commenting on how the trauma has deeply affected the child. In handing down the prison term, the court noted Hernandez-Mata effectively destroyed the minor victim’s life by exploiting her when he offered her money in exchange for child sexual abuse material. Hernandez-Mata was further ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution and will serve 10 years of supervised release following 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. Hernandez-Mata will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

“The American people have little patience for those that produce child sexual abuse material, particularly for those abusers who are illegally in the country,” said Ganjei. “The Southern District of Texas is committed to a secure southern border, which will keep people like Hernandez-Mata out of our country and away from our children.”

Hernandez-Mata admitted to asking a minor to take sexual images and videos of herself in exchange for money. He also admitted to sending the minor a photo of his genitalia.

The investigation began when a relative reported suspicious communications indicating Hernandez-Mata had directed the minor to send him nude photos.

Forensic analysis of the victim’s cell phone revealed Hernandez-Mata received, at his own direction, approximately 25 images and two videos containing child sexual abuse material. There were also images from Hernandez-Mata of various amounts of money.

He has been and 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 conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Laredo Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine A. Cortez prosecuted 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 tab on that page.