Del Rio Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

DEL RIO – A Del Rio man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possessing over a 1,000  images of child pornography.

According to court documents, in July 2018 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a search warrant on the residence of William Read, 71.  During the search, investigators seized Read’s desktop computer and related computer media among other things.  A forensic examination of the seized items revealed the presence of images and videos of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.  Read  possessed 1,093 images of child pornography. On August 26, 2019, Read pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses ordered that Read be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after his incarceration and that he pay $105,051.40 in restitution.

“Child sexual exploitation is an intolerable crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.  “We continue our vigorous prosecution of child predators to safeguard our children and communities.”

“This sentencing sends the message that we are committed to aggressively pursuing anyone who seeks to exploit children,” said Shane Folden, Special Agent in Charge for HSI San Antonio. “We will continue to dedicate our law enforcement resources to identify and bring to justice predators who traumatize and victimize children."

HSI investigated this case with valuable assistance from the Del Rio Police Department and Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rex Beasley, Stephen Kam and Sarah Spears prosecuted this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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