A Mexican national living in Mississippi without proper citizenship will spend more than 10 years in prison for sending and receiving child pornography on Facebook Messenger.
U.S. Attorney Scott Leary and Homeland Security Investigations announced Wednesday that Adolfo Raul Vasquez-Santana, 32, was handed a 121-month sentence for “knowingly distributing and receiving visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct” on the messaging app. He had previously pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents, Vasquez-Santana downloaded and shared violent videos that depicted the sexual abuse of children while in Southaven. He was investigated by local law enforcement responding to a tip that the agency received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. HSI determined Vasquez-Santana was illegally present in the U.S. and pursued federal charges.
“Child pornography is a plague. Children are victimized not only through the production of obscene material, but through its continual distribution,” Leary stated. “Somehow, this debauchery has gained a foothold in our society. We need the public’s help. Please, when you see something troubling, let law enforcement know – we will respond.”
Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have since placed an immigration detainer on Vasquez-Santana, which will result in his removal from the country once he meets all of his sentencing requirements.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Addison prosecuted the case. On top of his 10-plus years behind bars, Vasquez-Santana has been ordered to serve five years supervised release and pay $14,000 in restitution.