St. Croix, USVI - U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon today issued an order detaining Nicolas Mena, 34, of St. Croix, who was arrested Friday on a criminal complaint charging him with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Mena made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cannon on Friday after his arrest, and had his detention hearing on Monday.
If convicted of receipt of child pornography, Mena faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possession of child pornography, Mena faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's HomelandSecurity Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rami. S. Badawy.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
