New Mexico man arrested on federal child pornography charge

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A local man made his initial appearance in federal court Thursday on an indictment charging him with possessing child pornography. This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

HSI special agents arrested Christopher Daves, 25, without incident Wednesday; he is temporarily detained pending an arraignment and detention hearing scheduled for Friday.

According to the indictment, Daves allegedly possessed child pornography May 2 in Bernalillo County, N.M. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

The New Mexico State Police also participated in the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlyn E. Rees in Albuquerque.

An indictment is only an accusation. A criminal defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation was 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-DHS-2ICE 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, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.