Texas man sentenced to 15 years in prison for producing, possessing child sexual abuse material
PECOS, Texas — A West Texas man was sentenced in a federal court Aug. 28 to 188 months in prison for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
The man’s conviction was the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Ward County Sheriff’s Office.
According to court documents, authorities arrested Elroy Wilkerson, 60, on Nov. 17, 2022, based on allegations that he had been taking nude photos of a minor at his home in Monahans. The Ward County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant for Wilkerson’s residence and seized six cellphones for forensic analysis. HSI Midland special agents assisted and found 36 confirmed images of child sexual abuse material depicting the child victim and two videos in which the child victim was nude.
Wilkerson was found guilty in a jury trial in April on one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
“The harm that child predators cause to the most innocent members of our society is devastating and endures a lifetime,” said HSI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola. “Homeland Security Investigations will continue to vigorously investigate these cases alongside our law enforcement partners to hold these offenders accountable for the harm they cause in society.”
“This 15-year federal prison sentence sends a clear message that those who exploit and prey on our children for sexual gratification will face severe consequences,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza. “I commend the jury for their dedication to justice and decision to find this defendant guilty on both charges. I also recognize and appreciate the successful investigative efforts of our local and federal law enforcement partners.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
HSI is 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 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.
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