ICE HSI led investigation results in the guilty plea of a South Texas man for multiple child pornography charges

LAREDO, Texas — A South Texas man pleaded guilty Thursday to receiving and possessing child pornography following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) led investigation with the assistance from the Laredo Police Department (LPD).

David De Los Santos, 30, of Laredo, pleaded guilty March 3 before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña who accepted his guilty plea for receiving and possessing child pornography. During his court hearing, De Los Santos told the court he was challenging the content of those items discovered. The investigation began after ICE HSI linked De Los Santos to child exploitative materials on the internet.

According to court records, ICE HSI and LPD conducted a search of his residence in Laredo and seized numerous digital devices. A forensic analysis revealed 832 image and video files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. According to court documents, the files included children under the age of 5 and images involving elements of bondage or bestiality.

Judge Saldaña will consider all factors and impose sentencing on a later date. At that time, De Los Santos faces a up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Petters, 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 1-866-347-2423, 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.

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, 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 is a directorate of ICE and 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 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 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.