League City Woman Convicted on Child Pornography Charge

GALVESTON, Texas - A 46-year-old woman has entered a guilty plea to one count of receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Tracey Lynn Bautista came to the attention of law enforcement after investigators found evidence she was receiving child pornography from an individual who had been arrested for the promotion of child pornography. Investigators found several child pornography images and videos which were sent to Bautista via text messaging and the online messaging application known as Kik Messenger. Bautista acknowledged receipt of these images by responding “nice” and “[w]ow. [g]ood pic.”

Additionally, investigators found text messages in which Bautista discusses a minor relative with this individual. Bautista offered to get pictures of the minor relative for him and later sent a photo of a 16-year-old female relative who is topless with her breasts exposed for the camera’s viewing.

U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. accepted the plea and set sentencing is set for April 29, 2017. At that time, Bautista faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum. She was permitted to remain on bind pending that heating.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office conducted the investigation.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo, 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."