New Jersey man, collector and distributor of child sexual abuse images sentenced to 292 months in federal prison
NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey man was sentenced Monday to 032 months in federal prison for distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. The sentence resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Martin Villalobos, 41, of Lodi, N.J., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler.
HSI special agents discovered an individual who was sharing images of child sexual abuse over the Internet. Agents used the IP address of Villalobos’ computer to identify him. After obtaining a court-ordered search warrant, the agents found Villalobos in a locked bedroom with eight computer hard drives, more than 100 DVDs and other electronic media. A forensic analysis of the materials found revealed that he was in possession of 5,442 photographs and 164 videos of children, including prepubescent minors, nude and engaged in sexual acts with one another and adults. The evidence at trial also proved that Villalobos routinely used the Internet to solicit, receive and distribute such images.
In sentencing Villalobos, Judge Chesler took into account his previous abuse of an unconscious woman with mental disabilities. During sentencing arguments, the government noted that footage of that abuse, which Villalobos recorded, was found in his home. In addition to that footage, law enforcement officials also found writings that described stalking and abducting women for sexual torture; crush videos, depicting the execution of animals, such as rabbits and chicks; and multiple videos of bestiality.
"The sickening images and videos Villalobos possessed and distributed re-victimize our children every time they’re downloaded and viewed," said Andrew McLees, special agent in charge of HSI Newark. "HSI will use all of its tools and resources to investigate and arrest individuals who engage in this illegal activity."
In addition to the prison term, Judge Chesler also sentenced Villalobos to five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $16,000 to two victims.
This investigation was also part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423 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, 1-800-843-5678.
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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