East Texas man sentenced to more than 7 years for child pornography violations

BEAUMONT, Texas — An east Texas man was sentenced Thursday to more than seven years in federal prison for child pornography violations, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales, Eastern District of Texas.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Beaumont Police Department.

Damien Oasis Winn, 34, from Port Arthur, Texas, pleaded guilty Dec. 4, 2014 to possessing child pornography and was sentenced to 86 months in federal prison April 9 by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to information presented in court, in December 2013, law enforcement officers conducting Internet undercover operations became aware of a computer offering files containing child pornography for distribution.  Further investigation revealed the computer belonged to Winn.  On June 19, 2014, a federal search warrant was executed at Winn’s residence and numerous computers and digital storage devices were seized.  A forensic analysis of Winn’s computer revealed more than 600 images, including 31 videos, of child pornography.  Winn was indicted by a federal grand jury Sept. 3, 2014.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke, Eastern District of Texas.

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 10,000 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 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 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.

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.