McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — A Mexican national has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for transporting child sexual abuse material and cocaine across the border, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei said.
Christian Christopher Rodriguez-Lopez, 44, pleaded guilty Aug. 21. He also was charged with importing cocaine, Ganjei said.
U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, of the Southern District of Texas in McAllen, ordered Rodriguez-Lopez to 151 months in prison.
During the recent hearing, the court was told that the child sexual abuse material involved victims ranging in age from infants to 12 years old. This led to criminal enhancements for material depicting prepubescent minors and for material involving sadistic or masochistic activity, Ganjei said.
Federal prosecutors refer to “child sex abuse material” as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person younger than 18 years old. Although the phrase “child pornography” still appears in federal law, the Justice Department says “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as “it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma
to the child.”
“Mr. Rodriguez-Lopez is a perfect example of why our more aggressive approach to border security is so critical,” Ganjei said.
Rodriguez-Lopez was arrested while trying to enter the United States from Mexico in April 2024. Law enforcement say they found 5 kilograms of cocaine hidden in his vehicle at the port of entry. The child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) were found on his cellphone, law enforcement say.
“Neither these drugs, nor this defendant, have any place in our communities. Due to the excellent work of our law enforcement partners, this cocaine will never make it to the streets and this offender will spend the next decade in federal prison,” Ganjei said.
Officials say he will face removal proceedings once his term is served.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
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