Registered Sex Offender Residing in El Paso Enters Guilty Plea to Receipt and Distribution of Over 93,000 Images of Child Pornography

This morning, 44–year-old Alexandro Silva of El Paso pleaded guilty to receipt and distribution of more than 93,000 images of child pornography announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez, El Paso Division.

As a result of his plea, Silva faces between five and 20 years in federal prison.  Sentencing is expected to occur in the next 60-90 days before Senior United States District Judge David Briones.

According to court records, on August 29, 2014, HSI agents executed a search warrant at Silva’s residence and seized various items including a computer tower, two laptop computers and various electronic media. A subsequent forensics examination of the defendant’s desktop computer revealed the presence of more than 93,000 images and 55 videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Silva has remained in federal custody since his arrest on August 29, 2014.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations together with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rifian Newaz is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.