Eagle Pass Man Sentenced to 97 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

(Press Release) In Del Rio, a federal judge sentenced 70-year-old Juan Francisco Valdez to 97 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession of 12,457 images of child pornography announced United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr. and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio.

During Monday’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Alia Moses also ordered that Valdez pay $13,500 restitution to his victims and forfeit the computers, hundreds of CDs, and other property he used in the commission of the offense.

On October 27, 2016, Valdez pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. By pleading guilty, Valdez admitted that from January 1, 2000 through July 15, 2015, he accessed and viewed child pornography.

On July 15, 2015, HSI agents executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and seized the defendant’s computers, hard drives, over 2,000 CDs and DVDs, and other related material. A forensics examination of the seized items revealed the presence of hundreds of videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.

“This 8-year federal prison sentence sends a clear message that those who exploit children in any way will face serious consequences,” said Special Agent in Charge, Shane Folden, HSI San Antonio. “Investigating and preventing 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 who traumatize and victimize children.”

Assistant United States Attorney Matthew H. Watters prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.