Mexican national caught transporting child sexual abuse material

LAREDO, Texas – A 39-year-old Mexican national has been indicted for transportation and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Already in custody following the filing of a criminal complaint, Raul Velasco-Leon is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos in the near future.

On March 12, authorities encountered Velasco-Leon at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge as he was returning to Mexico, according to the charges. They searched his belongings and allegedly found what appeared to be a piece of youth-sized clothing with the words “Girl Power” tucked inside a jean pocket.

The charges allege law enforcement also found multiple electronic devices, including 10 USB flash drives. On one of those, were five files containing child sexual abuse material.

If convicted, Velasco-Leon faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine A. Cortez 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.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.