A federal jury has convicted Peter Michael Guevara, a resident of Ramsey County, for the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
Court documents and trial evidence revealed that Guevara, 56, was on intensive supervised release due to a previous conviction in 2014 for possessing similar materials in Sherburne County, Minnesota. Law enforcement received information about Guevara using an unauthorized smartphone. On November 12, 2020, agents conducted an unannounced search at his property and discovered an Apple iPhone in his possession. Officers confirmed it was unauthorized and arrested him. Subsequently, Guevara was recorded on jail calls instructing family members to remotely lock and erase the phone's contents. A forensic examination uncovered over 4,000 images and videos involving prepubescent minors under 18 engaged in illegal activities.
Following a three-day trial, the jury found Guevara guilty on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. His sentencing hearing will be scheduled later.
The investigation was led by the FBI with assistance from the Minnesota Department of Corrections and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse online.
Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell and DOJ Trial Attorney Emily A. Polachek were responsible for prosecuting the case.