Corpus Christi, Texas, man convicted of distributing child pornography

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Corpus Christi man was convicted Monday of distributing child pornography.

This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Clinton Ray Stevens, 26, was found guilty of uploading pornographic images of children to an internet chat room called “UNderAg3.”

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos set Stevens’ sentencing for Sept. 11. He faces five to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 maximum fine. After he completes any prison term imposed, he also faces a maximum of life on supervised release.

The 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 16,000 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 2016, more than 2,600 child predators were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 800 victims identified or rescued.

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. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.

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.

HSI is a founding member 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.