Texas man convicted of downloading child sexual abuse material gets 11 years following HSI San Antonio investigation

SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio man was sentenced to 11 years in prison after he was convicted of receiving child sexual abuse material following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Marlon Zurita, 47, appeared before a federal judge on Nov. 8 and was sentenced to 136 months in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release. Zurita pleaded guilty Dec. 22 and admitted to receiving over 1,800 images and video files depicting child sexual abuse. In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered Zurita to pay $90,000 restitution and forfeit the 11 electronic devices that contained the material.

According to court documents, Zurita stored more than three dozen files containing child sexual abuse material on his online storage accounts. HSI executed a search warrant that led to the seizure of 18 electronic devices, 11 of which contained child sexual abuse material downloaded from the internet. Between Jan.1, 2020, and Sept. 24, 2020, Zurita downloaded over 3,000 video files and over 39,000 images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of prepubescent children.

“This individual sought out and stored child sexual abuse material, further victimizing minors by enabling the production of child sexual abuse material,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza. “Thanks to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and with our agency partners at Homeland Security Investigations leading many of these investigations, we are able to prosecute predators who cause unfathomable harm to the lives of innocent children.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free tip line at 866-347-2423 or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock. From outside the United States and Canada, 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, Internet Crimes Against Children partners, and other federal, state and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. You can report suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 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. The directorate is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and nongovernment 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 the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 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 more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.