Registered sex offender sentenced in El Paso to 17 ½ years in prison for receiving, distributing child pornography
Defendant possessed more than 93,000 images of child pornography on his computer
EL PASO, Texas — A local El Paso man was sentenced to 17 ½ years in federal prison Thursday for receiving and distributing child pornography.
Special agents with Immigration and Custom Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case with the assistance of El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Alexandro Silva, 45, received and distributed more than 93,000 images of child pornography, according to court documents. In addition to his prison term, Silva was also ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution to his victims, and will be placed on supervised release for 10 years after he completes his prison term.
On April 29, Silva pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography. According to court records, HSI special agents executed a search warrant at Silva’s residence in August 2014 and seized computers and digital media. A subsequent forensics review of Silva’s desktop computer revealed tens of thousands of images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
“This sentence sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those who sexually exploit children,” said Waldemar Rodriguez, special agent in charge of HSI El Paso. “Together with our law enforcement partners, HSI pursues those who sexually exploit children, and we work relentlessly to seek the justice these innocent victims deserve.”
Silva has remained in federal custody since his arrest Aug. 29, 2014.
In 2009, Silva was convicted of child pornography-related charges in Australia. That conviction fell within the parameters set for him to register as a sex offender in the state of Texas.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rifian Newaz, Western District of Texas, prosecuted this 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 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. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. 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-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
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