Alabama man sentenced over 17 years for producing child pornography following HSI Alpine investigation

ALPINE, Texas – An Alabama man was sentenced Aug. 22 to 210 months in prison for producing child pornography following an investigation conducted by special agents assigned to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Alpine. The Pecos Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division assisted with the case.

According to court documents, Matthew Jacob Metzler, 32, traveled to Arizona to pick up a minor and then took the child to Pecos, where he engaged in sexual acts with the child. A search warrant was executed on Metzler’s cellular phone where child pornography photos along with a sexually explicit video Metzler made with the minor were found.

“Those who engage in crimes against children will be held accountable for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “In February, Metzler traveled to Arizona to pick up a minor and transported the child across state lines to Pecos, Texas. While in Pecos, Metzler, who was living out of his car, engaged in sexual acts with the child. The child was ultimately located by law enforcement and reunited with family in Arizona. This was a great example of multiple agencies in the West Texas community working together to bring justice for a minor victim. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect minor victims.”

On March 24, Metzler pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. Metzler has remained in federal custody since his arrest, Feb. 7. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the case.

One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify, and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse, and help make the internet a safer place for children.

HSI the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 86 overseas locations in 55 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.