U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Victoria Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas
VICTORIA, Texas – Joshua Almeida, 23, has entered a plea of guilty to one count of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
During the hearing, Almeida stipulated to the facts as presented in court. On March 18, 2012, the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover online investigation into person trading child pornography. A computer which ultimately traced back to Almeida was determined to be offering numerous images of child pornography for distribution. A state search warrant was executed on Almeida’s home in Victoria on Sept. 27, 2012, at which time several electronic storage devices were seized and identified as belonging to Almeida. A subsequent computer forensics search of those devices led to the discovery of numerous files containing child pornography.
Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey, who accepted the guilty plea, has set sentencing for March 3, 2014. At that time, Almeida faces up to 10 years imprisonment. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lance Duke, 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."
Updated April 30, 2015
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