Southeast Texas man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child
VICTORIA, Texas — A local man was sentenced Friday to 30 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.
This sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Victoria Police Department.
Jason Paul Tijerina, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gregg Costa to the statutory maximum of 30 years in federal prison, which is to be followed by 25 years of supervised release. Tijerina must also register as a sex offender. He pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2014.
In January 2014, Victoria Police Department responded to Tijerina's residence regarding reports of a sexual assault. The sexual assault victim was identified and confirmed the abuse. Authorities conducted a search warrant and seized Tijerina's cellular telephone from his residence which resulted in discovering 10 thumbnail files and one video of a child involved in sexually explicit conduct.
“All children have an absolute right to grow up free from the fear of sexual exploitation,” said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of HSI Houston. “ICE will relentlessly pursue predators who abuse our kids physically or by exploiting their captured images.”
Tijerina has remained in custody since his arrest and will remain there pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility in the near future.
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. 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.
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