A Mexican national has been sentenced to federal prison for possession of child pornography, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Ezequiel Vallejo-Hernandez, 26, pleaded guilty on February 12, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera sentenced Vallejo-Hernandez to 78 months in federal prison. He is also required to pay $57,500 in restitution to various victims and will be under supervised release for ten years after his prison term ends. During this period, he must adhere to restrictions limiting his access to children and the Internet and register as a sex offender.
Vallejo-Hernandez was apprehended on September 16, 2023, when he attempted to enter the United States through the Gateway International Port of Entry. Authorities referred him for secondary inspection due to a "lookout" based on a Cybertip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A basic search of his cell phone revealed child sexual assault material (CSAM).
Ganjei stated: “Since its founding, the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood (PSC) has allowed prosecutors and law enforcement to uncover and prosecute those that prey on children online. This case is a textbook example on how PSC is making the internet safer for children.”
Forensic analysis found 557 CSAM files within Vallejo-Hernandez's MEGA application—a cloud-based storage app—on his phone. He admitted downloading these files and acknowledged that possessing such material is a crime.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano prosecuting the case under PSC—a DOJ initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide.