HSI San Antonio, federal partner investigation results in 30-year prison sentence for South Texas man who produced child sexual abuse material
SAN ANTONIO — A judge sentenced a South Texas man Thursday to 30 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, commonly called HSI. The Texas Office of the Attorney General helped investigate.
Armando Anthony Vidales, 25, from Poteet, Texas, will serve 360 months in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release. The judge also ordered him to pay $5,000 in restitution. Vidales pleaded guilty March 31.
“The significant sentence imposed on Armando Anthony Vidales sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those who exploit children. Vidales will serve the next 30 years in federal prison for his incomprehensible acts,” said Craig Larrabee, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Antonio. “We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who victimize the most vulnerable members of our society: our children.”
According to court documents, Vidales uploaded and emailed multiple files of child sexual abuse material from one personal email account to another. The email service provider generated a CyberTipline Report through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Vidales remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bettina Richardson, Western District of Texas, prosecuted 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. 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, ICAC partners, and other federal, state and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. You can report suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 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.
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 set. Further, HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline. The directorate is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and nongovernment 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 is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 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 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents the Department of Homeland Security’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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