Southeast Texas registered sex offender admits to receiving child pornography

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A registered sex offender from Southeast Texas pleaded guilty Wednesday to receiving child pornography.

This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Corpus Christi, Texas; the Corpus Christi Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office and Probation Department; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Cameron Michael Pittman, 34, a resident of Orange Grove, Texas, pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography Sept. 9 in the Southern District of Texas.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 11. At that time, he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 40 years in federal prison, as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities that images of child pornography were being uploaded through an IP address originating in Orange Grove.

The investigation led authorities to link Pittman to the e-mail and IP address that was sharing child pornography.

Law enforcement conducted a search at Pittman's residence, at which time they seized multiple electronic devices. A forensic examination later revealed images and videos of child pornography. A majority of images and videos located on Pittman's electronic devices depicted the sexual exploitation of children under the age of 10.

At the time of his arrest, Pittman was a registered sex offender and on probation for indecency with a child – a 2nd degree felony.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Popejoy is prosecuting the case.