Southeast Texas day care worker indicted for allegedly producing child pornography
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A South Texas day care worker was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on charges of producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.
This investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Corpus Christi Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Christina Cortez, 38, of Corpus Christi, allegedly produced child pornography while working at a day care facility in Corpus Christi. She further distributed them to Matthew Harbin, 29, of Brownsville, Texas, who was also indicted. The indictment charges both with producing child pornography.
Cortez was ordered into custody following a detention hearing held after a criminal complaint was filed. At that hearing, the court found probable cause that she committed the alleged crimes and is a danger to the community; she will be detained pending further criminal proceedings. Harbin was already in state custody on related charges and has been transferred to federal custody. Both are expected to make an initial appearance in the near future on the indictment which was returned Aug. 26.
According to the criminal complaint, the case began after Harbin was identified as providing images to an undercover officer in England. Using the email address dirtysickmind@yahoo.com, Harbin allegedly first provided three photos of a child clothed and not sexually posed, but that appeared to be taken at a day care facility. The complaint alleges that he stated he had more pictures; wanted to trade; and asked the person if they had a daughter, and how young they were "in to." Harbin later allegedly sent five more pictures of what appears to be the same female child, but that were sexually explicit in nature. One image depicts the child laying down on a blue mat with her dress lifted and her lower body exposed, according to the charges. Other images allegedly depict an adult female's hand making contact with a child's private area.
Further investigation revealed Harbin had previously received the images from Cortez in July 2014, according to the complaint. In their communications, Cortez claimed to work at a day care facility where she allegedly obtained the images. Cortez allegedly sent images of the same female child involved in sexually explicit conduct. The child's genitals appear to be the focus of all three of the aforementioned images, according to the complaint, one of which includes the child fondling herself.
In their communications, both Harbin and Cortez allegedly indicate a desire to engage with children. During one conversation, the complaint alleges Cortez told Harbin "I would love to watch us with her. 2 & half."
"Nothings is more disturbing, heartbreaking, or upsetting for a parent to hear than that their child has been harmed by someone entrusted to protect them," said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of HSI Houston. "Sadly, as hard as it is to comprehend, there are people in our society who sexually prey on kids. HSI is committed to bringing these predators to justice, and protecting those who shouldn't have to protect themselves."
If convicted, both face a minimum of 15 and up to 30 years in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting 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 12,000 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. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. 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. 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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