Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Corpus Christi resident, 23-year-old Pete Frank, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Frank pleaded guilty on November 25, 2024.
U.S. District Judge David Morales ordered Frank to serve 240 months in federal prison. During the hearing, it was revealed that Frank had online conversations where he detailed past sexual assaults of a young family member. After his release, Frank must undergo 25 years of supervised release with strict rules to limit his access to children and the internet. He will also be registered as a sex offender.
On April 14, 2020, authorities identified internet activity involving the accessing of files depicting child sexual assault material (CSAM), which eventually led them to Frank following an investigation.
A search discovered his cell phone, and forensic examinations revealed his participation in online discussions with others interested in CSAM. Frank actively sought to trade images and videos and discussed various methods to engage in sexual acts with minors.
Frank will stay in custody until his transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility is arranged.
Ganjei explained, “Those that possess and trade CSAM indirectly contribute to the production of that terrible material, and so punishing possession helps to diminish demand.” He added that the 20-year sentence “should serve as a warning to those who would otherwise seek out CSAM.”
This case was investigated by the Corpus Christi Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman prosecuted the case. It was part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse by leveraging federal, state, and local resources. More information on PSC and internet safety is available on the Department of Justice’s website.
