2 South Texas men sentenced to years in federal prison in separate child pornography cases

LAREDO, Texas — Two men from Laredo were sentenced Friday to years in federal prison in separate cases for possessing child pornography.

This sentenced was announced by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.  This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Webb County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).  

Edmundo Cardenas, 23, a U.S. permanent resident from Mexico, and Luis Pena-Rios, 45, a Mexican national, both residing in Laredo, were sentenced in separate cases for possessing child pornography. U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen sentenced Cardenas to 40 months in federal prison. Pena-Rios was ordered to serve a 84-month-term. Both men are also required to register as sex offenders.  And both are expected to face deportation proceedings following their release from federal prison. Cardenas pleaded guilty to the charges May 6.  Pena-Rios entered his guilty plea in August 2014.

According to court documents, Pena-Rios and Cardenas were charged in separate, but similar cases. In January 2014, a WCSO investigator conducted an undercover online operation trying to identify Internet Protocol addresses sharing child pornography via a peer-to-peer network. That investigation led to the discovery of two IP addresses which appeared to be sharing files of known child pornography. One was linked to Cardenas and his family; the other belonged to a business address.

In March 2014, HSI special agents executed a federal search warrant for the residential address associated with the first IP address. Four individuals were present at the residence and were interviewed by authorities, one of whom was Cardenas. He first denied possessing child pornography.  But he soon recanted and admitted that he began downloading child pornography several years ago. HSI special agents seized electronic devices from Cardenas to include two laptops and a thumb drive. Forensic examination ultimately led to the discovery of a total of 41 video files on the laptops and several additional videos on a thumb drive, all containing child pornography.

In the latter case, HSI special agents identified the business associated with the IP address suspected of sharing the pornographic images and executed a search warrant. There, agents interviewed the owner who reported that computers at the business had restricted Internet service because he did not want employees using it for personal purposes during business hours. However, he told HSI special agents that he and his brother, Pena-Rios, both used the Internet at the business.  HSI special agents then interviewed Pena-Rios who soon admitted to downloading child pornography from the Internet using the business laptop and then transferring the videos to his personal computer using thumb drives. Forensic examination revealed several still images and videos consistent with child pornography.

“Our goal is to continue keeping a watchful eye on those that prey on our children,” said Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff. “These child predators will be caught and brought to justice.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonah Lee, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting both cases.

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 12,000 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 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

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. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. 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.