Man sentenced for possessing 77 videos of child porn

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A McAllen man was sentenced to federal prison after receiving images and videos of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

On March 22, 2023, Gabriel Alejandro Morales, pleaded guilty to charges of receiving images and video files containing child pornography.

In January 2022, authorities discovered a group chat on a third-party messaging application, that was sharing child pornography.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Morales had engaged in the distribution of approximately nine videos of child pornography on the site.

Morales admitted to investigators of using the third-party application on his phone and engaging in the distribution of child pornography.

The release added he admitted to possessing additional child pornography through other devices.

"The images included sadistic/masochistic content and the depiction of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts," said Alamdar S. Hamdani, U.S. Attorney. "Authorities ultimately found a total of 77 video files of child sex abuse materials, an additional 52 video files and 11 images attributable to Morales."

Chief U.S. District Judge Crane ordered Morales to serve 10 years in federal prison. Additionally, he was issued to pay $3,000 in restitution to a known victim and will serve five years on supervised release.

He is also ordered to comply with numerous requirements to restrict his access to children and the internet, as well as be ordered to register as a sex offender.