LAREDO, Texas — A South Texas man pleaded guilty to production of child pornography following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Border Patrol and private companies.
Luis Andres Serna, 30, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Saldana, who accepted his plea. Serna also later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and human transportation conspiracy.
According to court documents, on April 5, law enforcement encountered Serna after he picked up an undocumented noncitizen from downtown Laredo and transported him to an apartment building. At that time, a 16-year-old pregnant minor was also his passenger. Later that day, authorities discovered 37 undocumented people and approximately 1,032 kilograms of marijuana within several apartments linked to Serna and others. This eventually led to his arrest for drug trafficking and conspiracy to transport and harbor undocumented individuals.
While in federal custody for the pending charges, he gained access to a tablet video system and contacted the same pregnant girl. The investigation revealed Serna provided the minor’s name and a phone number to initiate video calls but did not disclose she was a minor.
The facility’s communication system automatically records the displays of both parties during every video call. Law enforcement reviewed several hundred telephone calls and tablet video visits Serna initiated while detained. The investigation revealed he was in regular video communication with the minor victim.
On June 24, 2022, he had her perform sexual acts while he watched. The minor victim used her personal cellphone to record herself performing the acts and played the video for Serna over the course of several days.
Saldana will impose sentencing at a later date. At that time, Serna faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine for the sexual exploitation conviction and a maximum of 10 years and up to life, for the human smuggling and drug trafficking charges.
Serna has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Southern District of Texas Homero Ramirez and Michael Makens are prosecuting the case.