Andrews Man Pleads Guilty To Receipt Of Child Pornography

United States Attorney Robert Pitman announced that 27-year-old Francisco Jose Cantu, of Andrews, TX, faces five to twenty years in federal prison after pleading guilty to receipt of materials relating to the sexual exploitation of children.

Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge David Counts yesterday, Cantu admitted that in October 2012, he received images of child pornography via the Internet.  According to the factual basis filed in this case, Cantu also admitted to distributing images of child pornography via the Internet.  On November 29, 2012, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a search warrant at Cantu’s residence and seized several computer devices.  A forensics examination of the seized items revealed the presence of more than 600 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Sentencing before United States District Judge Robert A. Junell in Midland has not yet been scheduled.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations agents. Assistant United States Attorney Austin Berry is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.