Source: United States Department of Justice News
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced last week to 30 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a young child.
According to court documents, Pedro Damian Martinez, 29, sexually assaulted the prepubescent minor on numerous occasions, and recorded the acts on video. Investigators also found that Martinez possessed more than 100 other child pornography videos on his phone, which he’d received via the internet.
In addition to the decades-long sentence, Martinez was ordered to pay $50,000 to the sexual assault victim in restitution and forfeit the cell phones used to produce the child sexual abuse material.
“The lengthy sentence imposed in this case is fitting in light of the unthinkable damage this individual inflicted on a child,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “Along with our partners, we will continue to hold those who harm the lives of innocents accountable for their actions.”
“This verdict illustrates the importance of law enforcement agencies working together in efforts to bring violent predators to justice and protect our communities,” said a spokesperson with the San Antonio Police Department Public Information Office.
The FBI, SAPD and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson 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.
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