San Antonio Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Distributing Child Pornography

In San Antonio, 32-year-old Jorge Pena, Jr., was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison followed by 25 years of supervised release for distributing child pornography announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Janice Ayala.

Court records reflect that HSI agents who were conducting an investigation into on-line exploitation of minors executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in February 2012 and seized several computers and related equipment. A subsequent forensics examination of the seized items revealed the presence of hundreds of videos and images depicting sexual exploitation of pre-pubescent children.

On March 12, 2014, Pena pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.  By pleading guilty, Pena admitted to viewing child pornography since approximately 2005 and knowingly distributing at least 19 files which contained child pornography to other individuals via the Internet.

“By conducting these types of investigations, HSI is taking child predators off the Internet, off the streets, and putting them behind bars,” said Special Agent in Charge, Janice Ayala, HSI San Antonio. “Targeting these crimes against children is a high priority for HSI. We will continue to dedicate law enforcement resources to identify and bring to justice child predators that traumatize and victimize children.”

This case was investigated by special agents with HSI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Thompson.