BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 48-year-old Guatemalan citizen was ordered to federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Gildardo Perez-Reyes pleaded guilty May 13, 2019, to engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and possession of child Pornography.

Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera Jr. sentenced Perez-Reyes to a total of 120 months in prison. Perez-Reyes was further ordered serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.

On or about April 26, 2018, authorities conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driving through McAllen. Perez-Reyes was driving and traveling with a minor female. During the stop, law enforcement noticed discrepancies in their statements and discovered the minor female had just been smuggled into the United States illegally.

Perez-Reyes admitted he was aware she was a minor and was involved in a sexual relationship with her. Further, Perez-Reyes also possessed several images and videos of child pornography contained within his cellular phone.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ana Cano and Jason Corley prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."