PROVIDENCE, RI –A Providence man who admitted to possessing dozens of videos and images of child pornography was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh, and Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel James M. Manni.

At the time of his guilty plea in December 2018, Samuel Mendez-Garcia, 43, admitted to belonging to an online social media group that viewed and exchanged child pornography. Mendez-Garcia also admitted to sharing child pornography via Facebook messenger.

According to information presented to the Court, in late March 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information from security personnel at Facebook that a user of their services, with an IP address in Rhode Island, uploaded child pornography. The information was forwarded to the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force who determined that the IP address and the Facebook account belonged to Mendez-Garcia.

On July 19, 2018, members of the ICAC task force executed a court-authorized search of Mendez-Garcia’s residence and seized a laptop computer and a cell phone owned by Mendez-Garcia. Simultaneously, law enforcement officers met with Mendez-Garcia at his place of employment and seized a cell phone that was in his possession. A forensic analysis of Mendez-Garcia’s cell phones by a member of the ICAC Task Force revealed dozens of videos and images of child pornography, including images involving prepubescent minors and sadistic/masochistic conduct.

Mendez-Garcia was arrested on August 1, 2018 and ordered detained in federal custody.

An immigration detainer has been lodged against Mendez-Garcia by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after it was determined that he entered the United States illegally. It was also determined that Mendez-Garcia was prevented from entering the United States in 2002 when he illegally attempted to cross the U.S. border from Mexico.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman acknowledges and thanks the Newport Police Department, a member of the ICAC Task Force, for its assistance in the investigation of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, RI –A Providence man arrested for possessing hundreds of videos and images of child pornography pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to a charge of possession of child pornography.

Samuel Mendez-Garcia, 42, admitted that he belonged to an online social media group that viewed and exchanged child pornography. Mendez-Garcia also admitted that he sent child pornography via Facebook messenger.

Mendez-Garcia’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh, and Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel Ann C. Assumpico.

According to information presented to the Court, in late March 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information from security personnel at Facebook that a user of their services, with an IP address in Rhode Island, uploaded child pornography. The information was forwarded to the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force who determined that the IP address and the Facebook account belonged to Mendez-Garcia.

On July 19, 2018, members of the ICAC task force executed a court-authorized search of Mendez-Garcia’s residence and seized a laptop computer and cell phone he owned. Law enforcement officers also seized a cell phone that was in his possession.

A forensic analysis of one of Mendez-Garcia’s cell phones by a member of the ICAC task force revealed more than 600 videos and images containing child pornography, including images involving prepubescent minors and sadistic/masochistic conduct.

Mendez-Garcia, who has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on August 1, 2018, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2019.

Additionally, an immigration detainer has been lodged against Mendez-Garcia by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after it was determined that he entered the United States illegally. It was also determined that Mendez-Garcia was prevented from entering the United States illegally as he attempted to cross the U.S. border from Mexico in 2002.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks the Newport Police Department, a member of the ICAC Task Force, for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, RI –A Guatemalan national who was prevented from entering the United States illegally as he attempted to cross the U.S. border from Mexico in 2002 has been arrested in Rhode Island and ordered detained in federal custody on child pornography charges.

Samuel Mendez-Garcia, 42, of Providence, was ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond today on a criminal complaint charging him with one count each of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

An immigration detainer has also been lodged against Mendez-Garcia by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Mendez-Garcia’s arrest and detention are announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh, and Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel Ann C. Assumpico.

According to court documents, it is alleged that in late March the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information from security personnel at Facebook that a user of their services, with an IP address in Rhode Island, uploaded child pornography. The Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force reviewed the information and the postings, determining that the images and videos did in fact depict child pornography. Through their investigation, ICAC investigators determined that the IP address and the Facebook account belonged to Mendez-Garcia.

On July 19, 2018, members of the ICAC task force executed a court-authorized search of Mendez-Garcia’s residence, and seized a laptop computer and cell phone owned by Mendez-Garcia. Law enforcement officers also responded to Mendez-Garcia’s place of employment, and while speaking with him seized a cell phone that was in his possession.

On July 20, 2018, Facebook security personnel reported to the ICAC task force that additional images of alleged child pornography had been discovered on Mendez-Garcia’s Facebook account. A forensic analysis of one of Mendez-Garcia’s cell phones by a member of the ICAC task force allegedly revealed more than 50 videos and images depicting child pornography.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

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