Kingsville Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Robert Wayne Collins, 62, of Kingsville, has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

The court heard today that authorities, while using peer-to-peer software, were able to successfully download of various files containing child pornography from an IP address that was associated with Collins.

In January 2015, agents executed a search warrant at Collin’s residence, at which time they seized various electronic devices. Forensic analysis on those devices revealed more than 90 images and approximately 160 videos of child pornography. Collins admitted to using the peer-to-peer software to download child pornography.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Janice B. Ellington accepted the guilty plea today and set sentencing for March 10, 2016, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos. At that time, Collins faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, Collins 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. 

Collins was arrested on a bond revocation warrant in November 2015 and has been in custody since that time where he will remain pending his sentencing.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department—Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

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."