South Texas man sentenced to nearly 17 years for receiving child pornography

SAN ANTONIO – A local man was sentenced Friday to 16 years and eight months in federal prison, to be followed by supervised release for life for receiving child pornography. This sentence resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Roger Lee Wagner, 56, of Schertz, Texas, was sentenced May 18 to 200 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, Western District of Texas. Judge Biery also ordered Wagner to pay a $1,000 restitution fee to three victims and $100 special assessment fee.

"This significant sentence cannot repair the permanent damage done to the victimized children depicted in these images," said Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge for HSI San Antonio. "However, perhaps it will dissuade prospective child predators knowing that HSI and our law enforcement partners relentlessly pursue online predators."

Wager pleaded guilty Feb. 9 to one count of receiving child pornography.

HSI special agents executed a federal search warrant at Wagner's home March 7, 2011. They seized four desktop computers, several hard drives and various pieces of electronic equipment. A forensics examination of the seized items revealed that Wagner possessed 28,177 images and 645 videos of child pornography. HSI special agents arrested Wagner Sept. 26 without incident.

After sentencing, Judge Biery ordered Wagner immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

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 and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson, Western District of Texas, prosecuted this case.