LAREDO, Texas - A 50-year-old senior Border Patrol agent stationed in Del Rio has been taken into custody on charges of distribution of child pornography and attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
Salvador Contreras was arrested today in Cotulla. He is expected to appear in Laredo federal court Monday morning.
According to the criminal complaint, Contreras allegedly sent numerous images depicting child pornography to an individual whom he believed was the mother of an eight-year-old girl. During those communications, he allegedly expressed his desire to engage in sexual conduct with the child and made arrangements to travel to Cotulla to do so.
Authorities arrested Contreras after he arrived there this morning.
Contreras faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison if convicted of the enticement as well as a minimum of five and up to 20 years for the distribution of child pornography.
Customs and Border Protection - Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo de la Rosa is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
