A federal jury in St. Paul, Minnesota, has found Peter Michael Guevara guilty of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick announced the conviction.

Court documents revealed that Guevara, 56, was on intensive supervised release for a prior conviction in 2014 related to possession of similar material in Sherburne County, Minnesota. Law enforcement received information suggesting he was using an unauthorized smartphone. On November 12, 2020, agents conducted a surprise search at his property and discovered an Apple iPhone in his possession. This device was confirmed to be unauthorized, leading to Guevara's arrest.

While detained, Guevara reportedly instructed family members through jail calls on how to lock and erase the contents of the confiscated phone remotely. A forensic examination uncovered over 4,000 images and videos depicting illegal activities involving prepubescent minors under the age of 18.

After a three-day trial, the jury convicted Guevara on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. The sentencing hearing is yet to be scheduled.

The FBI led the investigation with support from the Minnesota Department of Corrections and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide.

Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell and DOJ Trial Attorney Emily A. Polachek prosecuted this case.