A Richlands man, Albert Suniga, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for producing child pornography. The sentence includes a decade of supervised release and $74,000 in restitution to nine victims, along with a $5,000 fine. Suniga, 37, had pled guilty on September 17, 2024.
The investigation began when the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received two cyber tips from Google. The tech company reported that one of its users had uploaded nine images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to their Google Drive account. HSI agents traced the internet protocol (IP) address associated with the account back to Suniga.
Upon searching Suniga's email, agents found several images and videos of a minor victim that appeared to have been produced by him. Believing there was an immediate risk to a child, authorities executed a search warrant at Suniga's residence. During questioning, he admitted to creating images constituting child sexual abuse at his home and possessing additional unrelated CSAM images. A digital forensic examination confirmed the presence of numerous illicit images and videos on his devices.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced the sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The case was investigated by multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State Bureau of Investigation, and Onslow County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.
Further details can be accessed through related court documents available on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or via PACER under Case No. 7:24-CR-00008-M.