Mexican national charged with possession, transportation of child pornography following HSI, federal partner criminal investigation

LAREDO, Texas - A Mexican man was charged with possession and transportation of child pornography, following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), Laredo Sector.

On June 28, a federal grand jury returned a two-count on Cristian Dolores Munoz-De La Rosa, 24, after HSI discovered child pornography on his phone.

According to court documents, HSI and USBP were conducting a human smuggling investigation near Carrizo Springs on June 6. During routine inspection, authorities seized a phone allegedly belonging to one of the individuals.

The charges allege officials found child pornography images on that device. A preliminary review of the phone showed approximately 20 images of child pornography.

If convicted, Munoz-De La Rosa faces up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a $250,000 maximum fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney April Ayers-Perez, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting 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.

For more news and information on HSI’s efforts to combat child exploitation and child pornography in South Texas follow us on Twitter @HSI_SanAntonio.

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 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.