Southeast Texas man admits possessing more than 5 million child pornography images on his computer
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A local man pleaded guilty Friday to possessing more than five million images of child pornography on his computer, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.
This investigation was conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department-Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
"Sexually exploiting and abusing children are some the most heinous acts imaginable," said Brian Moskowitz, special agent in charge of HSI Houston. "ICE will continue to work in conjunction with our local law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to protect our communities from sexual predators. Simply put, we have an obligation to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
Terry Lee Clark, 48, of Corpus Christi, was contacted by authorities after receiving an anonymous tip in July. Clark gave permission to law enforcement to search his residence. During the search, a computer was discovered in his bedroom with child pornography on the screen. The computer and several media storage devices were seized revealing several images and videos containing child pornography.
Clark acknowledged downloading images of child pornography onto his computer from several different websites and to having a sexual interest in children.
Clark admitted to possessing more than five million pornographic images. Of those, about 47,000 contained child pornography involving pre-pubescent females, some under the age of 12, engaging in sexually explicit conduct with adult males. He also admitted to possessing more than 17,000 pornographic videos, nearly 400 contained child pornography which also involved pre-pubescent females engaging in sexually explicit conduct with adult males.
Sentencing is set for Feb. 5 before U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo. At that time, Clark faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. Clark also faces a maximum of life on supervised release during which the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. Clark has been in custody since his arrest where he will remain pending that hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting the case.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
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