Southeast Texas man pleads guilty to distributing child pornography

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Southeast Texas man pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

This investigation was conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s (CCPD) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Billy Joe Moreno, 43, of Corpus Christi, entered his guilty plea before Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack, who set sentencing for Feb. 26. At that time, Moreno faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. After he completes any prison term imposed, Moreno also faces a maximum of life on supervised release during which time the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children and prohibit the use of the Internet.

On Dec. 18, the court heard that CCPD officers, while using peer-to-peer software, were able to successfully download various files containing child pornography from an Internet Protocol address that was associated with Moreno. As a result of this information, HSI was contacted to assist in the investigation.

In July 2015, HSI special agents executed a search warrant at Moreno’s residence and seized a laptop computer. Forensic analysis on the computer revealed a total of 280 videos of child pornography. Moreno admitted to having downloaded child pornography for several years.

Moreno was arrested on the federal charges in October 2015 and has been in custody since that time where he will remain pending his sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the 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 14,000 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 2015, nearly 2,400 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.