Cocaine smuggler caught at Donna bridge sentenced for child porn

A 44-year-old Mexican citizen caught approximately 11 pounds of cocaine a year ago at the Donna Port of Entry was sentenced to more than a decade in prison for the narcotics and for possession of child sexual abuse material.

Christian Christopher Rodriguez-Lopez pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 21, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced in a press release.

U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton sentenced the man to 12 1/2 years in prison.

Rodriguez was arrested after U.S. Customs and Border Protection found five bundles of cocaine hidden in the dashboard area of the black Dodge Charger he drove to the bridge on April 5, 2024, according to a criminal complaint.

He told investigators he helped conceal the narcotics and that he would be paid upon delivery.

After his arrest, investigators found images of child sexual abuse depicting victims in age range from infants to 12 years old, according to the release.

“This led to enhancements for material depicting prepubescent minors and for sadistic or masochistic material,” the release stated.

Rodriguez was ordered to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following his sentence where he’ll have to comply with numerous requirements to restrict his access to the internet and to children.

“He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender,” the release stated. “Once permitted to reside in the country, his visa was revoked at the time of his arrest, and he is expected to face removal proceedings following his sentence.”

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