Harlingen man who hid phone in toilet sentenced for possession of child porn

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Harlingen man was sentenced for possession of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

On April 1, 47-year-old Rico Deangelo Longoria pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

During the investigation, authorities discovered a computer associated with a specific IP address in Harlingen that had been engaging in downloading and distributing child sexual abuse material, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

In February, authorities executed a federal search warrant at Longoria's residence and located his phone hidden inside the water tank of a toilet.

Forensic analysis found 337 images and 47 videos of child sexual abuse material. According to the release, the files included images of prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ordered Longoria to serve 10 years in federal prison with and additional 15 years of supervised release following his prison term.

During his time in prison, Longoria is required to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He is also ordered to register as a sex offender and to pay $60,500 in restitution to the victims of the offense.

Longoria remains in custody and is pending a transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons Facility.