A federal jury in Corpus Christi has convicted Anthony Porche, a 26-year-old man formerly of Corpus Christi and now residing in Virginia, for possessing more than 500 images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The conviction followed a three-day trial during which the jury deliberated for about nine hours before reaching its decision. Authorities began investigating Porche in October 2023 after discovering his involvement with CSAM. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence, seizing electronic devices including his cellphone, where several pornographic images were found.
Porche admitted to downloading child pornography over several months and acknowledged that at least five illegal images were stored on his device. Forensic analysis uncovered approximately 500 files depicting CSAM, some involving prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct or lewd poses.
During the trial, Porche’s defense argued that he was not fully aware of the illegality of his actions due to an autism diagnosis, claiming insanity as a defense. The jury rejected this argument and found him guilty.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the case and scheduled sentencing for April 23. Porche could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. He remains free on bond until sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations along with the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Overman and Izaak Bruce are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
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