Mexican National Illegally In U.S. Sent To Prison For Child Pornography

Friday, September 20, 2024, 1:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BROWNSVILLE, TX.- On Tuesday, September 18, 2024, a 33-year-old Mexican national living in the United States illegally appeared in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and was sentenced on a charge of Possession of Child Pornography.

     On September 5, 2023, Juan Francisco Meza-Chavez, 33, appeared in the U.S. District Court before U.S. District Court Judge Rolando Olvera and pleaded guilty to the charge.

Judge Olvera Hands Down Sentence

     During Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Olvera sentenced Meza-Chavez to serve 97 months in federal prison, followed by twenty years of supervised release. In sentencing, Judge Olvera considered the victim impact statements and ordered $45,000 in restitution to be paid to the victims. During the term of supervised release, Meza-Chavez will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the Internet, and he will also be required to register as a sex offender.

     According to documents filed with the court, the investigation began in May 2022, following an investigation into the BitTorrent network in which federal investigators were able to identify the IP addresses of individuals sharing child pornography. Further, investigators linked one of the IP addresses to Meza-Chavez.

Search Warrant Executed

     On October 13, 2022, federal agents obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant at Meza-Chavez’s residence. During the search, agents seized multiple electronic devices. A forensic analysis of the devices uncovered 40 videos and 11 digital images of child pornography.

     Following the sentencing, Meza-Chavez was remanded back to federal custody pending his transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prison facility, which will be determined soon.