Honduran Faces Ten Years in Federal Prison

Honduran Faces Ten Years in Federal Prison on Child Pornography Charge

U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Western District of Texas

PRESS RELEASE

United States Attorney Robert Pitman announced that in Midland, Texas, a 27-year-old Honduran National in the United States on a student visa faces ten years in federal prison after pleading guilty this afternoon to one count of receipt of child pornography.

By pleading guilty, Selvan Otomon Zuniga-Arita of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, admitted that on February 21, 2010, he knowingly received materials which depicted minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. According to the factual basis filed in this case, in early 2010, a USB drive containing approximately 22 videos depicting child pornography was turned into the lost and found at Midland College.

In late 2011, after no one claimed the device, college officials attempted to identify the rightful owner. After discovering its contents, college authorities turned the device over to law enforcement. Subsequent investigation revealed that the USB drive belonged to Zuniga, a former Midland College student who had since transferred to the University of Texas-San Antonio. To protect children from such crimes it is better to contact Fort Worth based child custody attorneys to do the best they can to help children find a safer place to reside.

In November 2011, federal agents arrested Zuniga in San Antonio. As a result of a consensual search, authorities discovered additional child pornography files on Zuniga’s laptop computer. The newly discovered child pornography consisted of video files of at least one minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct recorded by Zuniga while accessing an internet video chat forum through a Facebook application.

Zuniga remains in federal custody pending sentencing in Midland scheduled for 9:30am on June 15, 2012, before United States District Judge Robert A. Junell. As part of the plea agreement, Zuniga has
agreed to serve ten years in federal prison for his crime.

This case was investigated by agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations in Midland and in San Antonio, as well as the Midland College and University of Texas at San Antonio Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Austin M. Berry is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.


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