Central Texas man sentenced to 9 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography
WACO, Texas — A central Texas man was sentenced Thursday to nine years in federal prison for possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman, Western District of Texas.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
James Fudge, 47, of Temple, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Walter S. Smith Jr. to 108 months in federal prison. Fudge must also serve five years of supervised release, and pay a $1,000 fine. On Sept. 18, Fudge pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and sharing child pornography with others via the Internet.
"Preventing and investigating child exploitation is an HSI priority," said Special Agent in Charge Janice Ayala, HSI San Antonio. "Our dedicated HSI special agents pursue these investigations by working closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office to bring these predators to justice. They also work tirelessly to prevent these crimes through extensive outreach and education."
According to court documents, on Oct. 15, 2013, HSI special agents executed a search warrant at the defendant's residence and seized his computer and other related media. A forensics examination of the computer revealed the presence of about 970 images depicting child pornography.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff, Western District of Texas, prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted under HSI's Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 12,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI's Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
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