Alexander M.M. Uballez U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico
A Carlsbad man, formerly a sergeant with the New Mexico State Police, has been sentenced to 85 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Sammy Clouthier, aged 45, was found guilty of knowingly possessing pornographic material involving a prepubescent minor between December 30, 2023, and March 25, 2024.
In addition to his prison sentence, Clouthier is required to pay over $52,000 in restitution to the victims. Upon release from prison, he will face five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. The U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Albuquerque Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force of the Federal Bureau Investigation and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Matilda McCarthy Villalobos is prosecuting the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This program aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement agencies and communities.
Project Safe Neighborhoods was strengthened on May 26, 2021, with a strategy focusing on fostering trust within communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results. More information about PSN can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
