LAREDO, Texas — A South Texas man was sentenced for sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual assault material (CSAM), following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Webb County Sheriff’s Office.
Kristopher Santos, 31, from Laredo, was sentenced Jan. 15 by U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal to serve 360 months and 240 months for the sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 360-month-term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court also heard additional information including the history of the case and vast collection of child pornography Santos possessed. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the severity of his actions in producing CSAM as well as the sheer volume of images he possessed. Santos was further ordered to pay $126,000 in restitution to the victims and will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Santos will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Santos pleaded guilty March 28, 2023.
”Today's sentencing marks a significant victory in our relentless pursuit of justice for the innocent victims of child exploitation. This 30-year sentence sends a clear message that those who prey on the most vulnerable members of our society will be held accountable for their heinous crimes,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “HSI remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting children and dismantling the networks that perpetuate these atrocities. We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to ensure that justice is served and that no child suffers in silence.”
“This defendant is a textbook child predator,” said Hamdani. “He is the reason parents lose sleep at night, wondering if their kids are safe when not with them. He was a trusted family member, who violated that trust when he both abused and utilized the minors to create child pornography images of his own. Parents can sleep better tonight knowing there is one less child predator on the streets.”
According to court documents, authorities identified Santos in 2019 when conducting a peer-to-peer network undercover investigation. It revealed Santos was sharing CSAM online. On April 12, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and discovered and seized several electronic devices. Authorities also discovered a trunk full of sex toys and children’s underwear. Santos acknowledged he was sexually attracted to children, viewing the child pornography and that the trunk belonged to him. He also admitted to touching two minor relatives inappropriately and taking naked pictures of the children exposing themselves.
Law enforcement ultimately identified a total of 47,729 images and 7,667 videos containing child pornography on the seized electronic devices.
Santos remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Makens from the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.
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, Internet Crimes Against Children 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.