Houston-area woman sentenced to more than 9 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography

GALVESTON, Texas — A Houston-area woman was sentenced Wednesday to more than nine years in federal prison following her conviction for receiving child pornography.

This sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez, Southern District of Texas. This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Montgomery County (Texas) Precinct 1 Constable's Office.

Tracey Lynn Bautista, 46, from League City, Texas, was sentenced to 112 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. Bautista was further ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release following completion of her prison term, during which time she will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict her access to children and the internet.  She must also register as a sex offender. She pleaded guilty to the charges Jan. 26.

Bautista came to the attention of law enforcement after investigators found evidence that she was receiving child pornography from an individual who had been arrested for promoting child pornography. Investigators found several child pornography images and videos which were sent to Bautista via text message and the online messaging application known as Kik Messenger. Bautista acknowledged receiving these images by responding "nice" and "[w]ow. [g]ood pic."

Additionally, investigators found text messages in which Bautista discusses a minor relative with this individual. Bautista offered to get pictures of the minor relative for him and later send a photo of a topless teenage female relative with her breasts exposed.

At the hearing, the court heard testimony that she had communicated with yet another individual about obtaining nude photos of the same minor relative.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the 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 14,000 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 2015, nearly 2,400 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.