Child predator sentenced to 40 years for soliciting sexually explicit images, videos of minors

HOUSTON — A child predator was sentenced Aug. 24 to 40 years in federal prison for two counts of producing child pornography and one count each of receiving and possessing child pornography following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Galveston, the Pearland Police Department and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Andrew Joel Galvan, a 27-year-old resident of Houston, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to 360 months for each count of producing child pornography to run concurrently, and to 120 months total for receiving and possessing child pornography. The sexual exploitation counts will run consecutively to his sentence for receiving and producing child pornography for a total prison sentence of 40 years.

Galvan was furthered ordered to register as a sex offender and to serve 10 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he must comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to the internet.

Galvan pleaded guilty to the charges on Sept. 21, 2022.

At the hearing, the court heard how Galvan had reached out to 10 different prepubescent females requesting them to send naked photos and videos of themselves to him. In imposing the sentence, the court commented on how Galvan’s conduct is very different from others who simply collect child sexual abuse material.

In April 2020, the mother of an 8-year-old child contacted law enforcement after discovering sexually explicit chats between her daughter and an unknown individual on Instagram. Authorities later identified that person as Galvan.

A search of the minor’s cellphone revealed several private chats in which Galvan was soliciting naked photos and videos of the child. He would direct the minor on how to position herself and requested multiple images. She ultimately did as he requested.

Law enforcement then obtained a search warrant for Galvan’s Instagram account, which was only two months old. They found numerous conversations between Galvan and several prepubescent children in which Galvan would solicit child sexual abuse material and direct these minors on how to take the images and videos.

Galvan admitted he would portray himself as a 13, 14 or 15-year-old boy and targeted girls between the ages of 8 and 13. He also admitted to sending these children pictures of his private parts.

Authorities ultimately discovered 10 victims, all under the age of 12, from whom Galvan solicited child sexual abuse material.

Law enforcement also conducted a forensic exam on Galvan’s electronic devices found 7,500 images and 650 videos of young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The images and videos include children under the age of 12, bondage, bestiality and acts of violence, such as the penetration of the victims.

Galvin will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Luis Batarse prosecuted the case.

For more news and information on HSI’s efforts to aggressively investigate child exploitation and child pornography in Southeast Texas follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @HSIHouston.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 866-347-2423. The tipline is staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the United States and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.