Texas Man Sentenced for Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography

HOUSTON – A 33-year-old man from Duncanville has been ordered to prison following his convictions for receipt and possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. William Sonak pleaded guilty June 26, 2017.

Today, U.S. District Judge David Hittner imposed a total 96-month term of imprisonment. Following completion of his prison term, he will be on supervised release for the rest of his life during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the Internet.

This case originated in September 2015 when the FBI received information from a general manager at a Computer Hospital store located in Houston that a laptop computer had been submitted for repairs that contained child pornography. While performing repairs, the technician came across multiple images of child pornography. 

A forensic examination of the computer later revealed the laptop contained approximately 2,640 images and 811 videos of child pornography. 

At the time of his plea, Sonak said that he was sorry for his actions.

Sonak will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. 

The FBI conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie N. Searle prosecuted the case, which 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."