EAGLE PASS, Texas — A Ecuadorian citizen was sentenced March 16 to seven years in federal jail for possession of kid sexual abuse materials following an investigation carried out by Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) together with U.S. Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector.
A federal choose sentenced Ramiro Helibuerto Cuenca-Campos, 27, of Cuenca Provincia, Azuay, Ecuador to 84 months in jail to be adopted by 5 years of supervised launch.
“This defendant traveled from Ecuador and crossed the border into our nation with a sickening quantity of kid sexual abuse materials on his cellular phone,” mentioned U.S. Lawyer Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “Fortunately, our federal legislation enforcement companions on the border disrupted a human smuggling operation and carried out their routine procedures, looking out this particular person and his telephone after they detained him. This case reinforces the truth that, very like our insurance policies in opposition to the medication and firearms that noncitizens often attempt to convey into the U.S., we is not going to tolerate anybody bringing in materials that sexually exploits and harms youngsters.”
“People who obtain and possess youngster pornography take part within the victimization of youngsters whose innocence can by no means be restored,” mentioned HSI San Antonio performing Particular Agent in Cost Craig S. Larrabee. “These criminals additionally symbolize a public security risk to our communities. For these causes, youngster exploitation instances are a high precedence for HSI, and we are going to proceed to work intently with our federal companions to make sure they’re arrested, prosecuted, and finally faraway from america.”
In accordance with court docket paperwork, Cuenca-Campos was apprehended by Border Patrol brokers close to Brackettville throughout a failed human smuggling try. A forensic evaluation of his cellular phone revealed greater than 2,000 photos containing youngster sexual abuse materials.
Chief U.S. District Decide Alia Moses discovered Cuenca-Campos responsible after a bench trial on July 27, 2021. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest on March 10, 2020. Along with the jail sentence, Cuenca-Campos was ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution to the victims and $200 in particular assessments. Chief Decide Moses additionally ordered forfeiture of his telephone.
Assistant U.S. Lawyer Rex Beasley, Western District of Texas, prosecuted the case.
HSI encourages the general public to report suspected youngster predators and any suspicious exercise by its toll-free tip line at 866-347-2423 or by finishing its on-line tip form. Each are staffed across the clock. From exterior america and Canada, callers ought to dial 802-872-6199. Listening to impaired customers could name TTY 802-872-6196.
HSI takes a victim-centered method to youngster exploitation investigations by working to determine, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with the Nationwide Heart for Lacking and Exploited Kids, ICAC companions, and different federal, state and native companies to assist clear up instances and rescue sexually exploited youngsters. You may report suspected youngster sexual exploitation or lacking youngsters to the Nationwide Heart for Lacking and Exploited Kids’s toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 800-THE-LOST.
HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, a global alliance of legislation enforcement companies and personal trade sector companions working collectively to stop and deter on-line youngster sexual abuse.
One in all HSI’s high priorities is to guard the general public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s youngster exploitation investigations program is a central part of this mission set. Additional, HSI is acknowledged as a worldwide chief on this investigative self-discipline. The directorate is dedicated to using its huge authorities, worldwide footprint and robust authorities and nongovernment partnerships to determine and rescue youngster victims; determine and apprehend offenders; forestall transnational youngster sexual abuse; and assist make the web a safer place for youngsters.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety (DHS), answerable for investigating transnational crime and threats, particularly these legal organizations that exploit the worldwide infrastructure by which worldwide commerce, journey and finance transfer. HSI’s workforce of greater than 8,700 staff consists of greater than 6,000 particular brokers assigned to 237 cities all through america, and 93 abroad places in 56 nations. HSI’s worldwide presence represents DHS’s largest investigative legislation enforcement presence overseas and one of many largest worldwide footprints in U.S. legislation enforcement.