Juneau Man indicted on distribution of child pornography

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today Gilbert Valadez-Garcia, a Mexican citizen working in Juneau, was indicted for the distribution of child pornography.

Gilberto Valadez-Garcia, 39, a citizen of Mexico, was arraigned today before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith on the sole charge of distribution of child pornography.  Valadez-Garcia pled not guilty to the charge and was ordered detained pending trial.

Assistant U. S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who is prosecuting the case, indicated that Valadez-Garcia faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine, or both if convicted.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.  Trial was scheduled for June 20, 2016.

The charges against Valadez-Garcia are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  If the public has any further information, questions, or concerns about the activities of Valadez-Garcia please contact the FBI at (907) 265-8254.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In May 2006, DOJ launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.