U.S. Department
of Justice
Laguna Heights man sentenced for child pornography charge
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 29-year-old Laguna Heights man has been ordered to federal prison for possessing more than 500 images of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Ramon Marin Jr. pleaded guilty Dec. 18, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera Jr. ordered him to serve 80 months in federal prison. Marin was further ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution to several known victims and will serve 20 years on supervised released following completion of his prison term, during which he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He has also been ordered to register as a sex offender.
On or about April 29, 2019, authorities began an undercover investigation of ongoing child exploitative crimes on the internet through the use of peer-to-peer software. They identified an IP address making child pornography available for sharing which led them to Marin’s residence. Law enforcement executed a search warrant which resulted in the seizure of various digital devices containing child pornography.
A forensic analysis revealed 539 images and 11 videos of child pornography. The Images included sexual exploitation of minors and toddlers.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana Cano is 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 tab on that page.