Texas man sentenced to 30 years for producing child sexual abuse material

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — On July 12, a judge sentenced Javier Garza Jr., 24, of Port Isabel, for producing child sexual abuse material following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force investigation.

U.S. District Judge Roland Olvera sentenced Garza to 325 months in federal prison followed by 30 years of supervised release. During that time, he must comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Garza pleaded guilty July 20, 2022.

“Garza is the definition of a monster,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “He sexually abused a three-year-old little girl — his girlfriend’s daughter — causing severe harm to the most vulnerable amongst us. Thankfully, this deviant is now behind bars. This sentence ensures that Javier Garza will never again exploit a little child.”

According to court documents, the investigation began after Garza’s girlfriend discovered child sexual abuse material on Garza’s cell phone. She quickly recognized the child in the videos as her own three-year-old daughter and contacted authorities. HSI ultimately found videos of child pornography on Garza’s cell phone. The investigation revealed he had recorded himself sexually abusing the minor child.

Garza remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano for the Southern District of Texas is prosecuting 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, callers should 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, ICAC 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’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.