Local man gets significant prison time for multiple child pornography charges

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 26 year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions of receipt, possession and distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Pedro Angel Garcia, Brownsville, pleaded guilty May 22, 2019.

Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera Jr. sentenced Garcia to 78 months for the distribution conviction. He also received 78 months for the receipt and possession counts, respectively. The sentences will all run concurrently. Garcia will then serve 35 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Garcia will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

In October 2017, authorities learned of a Facebook user who appeared to be sending child exploitative material via the social media platform. The investigation led them to an IP address and telephone number and eventually to Garcia’s residence in Brownsville.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant and seized his personal computer. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of approximately 29 images and one video of child pornography in Garcia’s possession.

Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations-Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.