HSI Laredo helps secure Texas man’s conviction for possessing over 27,000 images of child sexual abuse

LAREDO, Texas — A South Texas man pleaded guilty March 28 to sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Webb County Sheriff’s Office investigation.

Kristopher Santos, 29, of Laredo, pleaded guilty March 28 before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña, who accepted his guilty plea for charges related to child pornography.

According to court documents, HSI identified Kristopher Santos in 2019 when conducting a peer-to-peer undercover investigation and Santos was sharing child pornography online. On April 12, 2019, law enforcement officials searched his home with a warrant and discovered and seized several electronic devices. Authorities also discovered a trunk full of sex toys and children’s underwear. Santos acknowledged he was sexually attracted to children, admitted to viewing the child pornography and said the trunk belonged to him. He also admitted to touching two minor relatives inappropriately and taking nude pictures of them. Law enforcement ultimately identified 27,729 images and 7,667 videos containing child pornography on the seized electronic devices.

U.S. District Judge Marmolejo will sentence Santos at a later date. At that time, Santos faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison.

Santos remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Makens, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting the case.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free tip line at 866-347-2423, or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the United States and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users may call TTY 802-872-6196.

HSI takes a victim-centered approach to child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), ICAC partners, and other federal, state, and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to NCMEC’s toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

HSI is a founding member 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.

HSI is 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 more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 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.