CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - James Parrott, 31, of Corpus Christi, has pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
The court heard today that detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department, while using peer-to-peer software, were able to successfully download various files containing child pornography from an IP address that was associated with Parrott. As a result of this information, the FBI office in Corpus Christi was contacted to assist in the investigation.
In January 2015, agents executed a search warrant at Parrott’s residence, at which time they seized various electronic devices. Forensic analysis on those devices revealed more than 1,000 images and more than 120 videos of child pornography. Parrott admitted to using the peer-to-peer software to download child pornography.
Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey accepted the guilty plea today and set sentencing for Oct. 19, 2015. At that time, Parrott faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, Hernandez also faces a maximum of life on supervised release during which time the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children and prohibit the use of the Internet.
Parrott was arrested on the federal charges in June 2015 and has been in custody since that time where he will remain pending his sentencing hearing.
The FBI investigated with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
