South Texas soccer coach sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison for producing child pornography, following ICE HSI led investigation

MCALLEN, Texas – A south Texas soccer coach was sentenced to serve 210 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of children Friday.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation with assistance from the Mission Police Department.

Oscar Hinojosa, 36, of Mexico residing in Pharr, Texas, was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Hinojosa, a noncitizen, is set to face removal proceedings following completion of his sentence. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including a victim letter detailing the impact this case had on the minor child involved. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the soccer coach was in a position of trust which he abused by grooming the child as well as her mother. Hinojosa will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Hinojosa will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Hinojosa pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2021.

According to court documents, from March 2020 through June 2021, Hinojosa communicated and cultivated a relationship with a 15-year-old minor. Hinojosa was the victim’s soccer coach. Over time, Hinojosa told her he loved her and expressed his sexual desire for her. During their communications, Hinojosa instructed the minor victim to send sexually-explicit photos of herself in specific poses. She ultimately did as requested on several occasions. While communicating with this victim, Hinojosa also attempted to cultivate a similar relationship to another one of the minor females on his soccer team. While he was unsuccessful, he expressed his love for her as well.

Hinojosa is not a citizen of the United States and does not have legal status to reside here.

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Corlton T. Turner, the Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the case.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free tip line at 1-866-347-2423, or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the United States and Canada, callers should dial (802) 872-6199. Hearing impaired users may call TTY (802) 872-6196.

HSI takes a victim-centered approach to child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), ICAC partners, and other federal, state, and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to NCMEC’s toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

HSI is a founding member 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.

One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission set. Further, HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify, and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse, and help make the internet a safer place for children.

HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.