Modesto Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Possessing Child Pornography

FRESNO, Calif. — Alberto Morales, 31, of Modesto, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill to 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, on February 1, 2013, Morales possessed between 300 and 600 images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The images also involved the portrayal of sadistic, masochistic, and other depictions of violence, and included depictions of pre-pubescent minors. Morales was charged with possessing child pornography by way of an indictment dated February 14, 2013, and pleaded guilty to this charge on January 6, 2014. In light of a prior conviction, Morales faced a minimum statutory period of confinement of 10 years.

“Today’s prison sentence is a reminder of the serious crime that is committed when the images of innocent children are illegally traded in cyberspace,” said Mike Prado, resident agent in charge of HSI Fresno. “Targeting these predators is a top priority for HSI. We will work tirelessly to end this type of despicable child exploitation.”

This case was the product of an investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task force, specifically the Fresno U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Brian W. Enos is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States 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, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about Internet Safety.