Mexican national sentenced to 96 months despite claim minor victim was his wife

McALLEN, Texas – A 22-year-old Mexican man has been ordered to prison for transportation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Edi Quinones pleaded guilty Nov. 8, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Quinones to serve a total of 96 months in prison. The court enhanced the sentence after finding Quinones produced child pornography found on his phone. The court also issued a finding that a sexual act occurred while the minor victim was in his custody and control. The defense attempted to argue that his sentence should be mitigated because he was married to the minor victim in Mexico. The court heard evidence to rebut this claim and found no legal marriage could exist because the minor victim was under the age of 18.

Quinones will also be ordered to register as a sex offender and is expected to face removal proceedings following completion of his sentence.

On Sept. 11, 2024, Quinones attempted to enter the United States through the Hidalgo Port of Entry with his family. When questioned, authorities were notified his “wife” was 16 years of age.

During a review of his electronic device, authorities recovered numerous CSAM files depicting Quinones and the minor victim. Quinones admitted the minor victim was 15 years old at the time of the video production. Authorities discovered approximately 20 videos on the phone Quinones had filmed. The videos depicted two minor victims engaged in various illegal sexual acts.

Quinones 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 and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker 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.