An illegal alien from Mexico has been indicted on multiple child sexual exploitation charges and a firearms offense, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced on July 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A federal grand jury charged Francisco Rosales Ortiz, 41, with ten counts of production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), possession and access with intent to view CSAM, and unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien. The indictment alleges that between June 2025 and March 2026 in Gaston County, Ortiz used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of the abuse. It is further alleged that Ortiz knowingly possessed and accessed CSAM during this period. The indictment also states that Ortiz illegally possessed three firearms—two pistols and a rifle—while unlawfully present in the United States.
“We are not going to stand by while illegal aliens come to our country and exploit our children,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “There are plenty of people in line to legally come to the United States. They should not be forced to the back of the line for someone like Ortiz, who is charged with sexually abusing a child and illegally possessing firearms.”
Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Carolinas, said: “Homeland Security Investigations is committed to protecting our communities from those who seek to exploit the most vulnerable among us—our children. HSI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice individuals who commit these heinous crimes. We will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that offenders are held accountable and that our neighborhoods remain safe places for children to grow and thrive.”
If convicted, Ortiz faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to a maximum of 325 years in prison: thirty years for each count related to production of CSAM; up to ten years for possession or access with intent; and up to fifteen years for unlawful firearm possession. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Cervantes is prosecuting it out of Charlotte.
The charges against Ortiz are allegations only; he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
This prosecution forms part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division Child Exploitation & Obscenity Section (CEOS) aimed at combating child sexual exploitation since May 2006.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina advances public safety through initiatives addressing elder abuse and substance abuse, prosecutes federal crimes including civil actions on behalf of the government across facilities located in Charlotte and Asheville; employs nearly one hundred prosecutors/staff; covers half Great Smoky Mountains National Park plus Eastern Band Cherokee Indians community under authority from Department Justice, according to its official website.