Las Cruces Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison on Child Pornography Charges

EL PASO, Texas – A New Mexico man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso on Thursday to 60 months in prison for receipt and distribution of a visual depiction involving the sexual exploitation of a minor.

According to court documents, Robey Lynn Humphrey, 58, of Las Cruces, received child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from other individuals on the internet in October 2022.  He was arrested on October 25, 2022, on a criminal complaint alleging Humphrey coerced and enticed a minor via a social messaging app.  FBI agents executed a search warrant of Humphrey’s residence on November 2, 2022, seizing four tablet computers, one of which revealed the illicit files.  Humphrey has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

“My office is committed to protecting our children and will continue to prosecute those who prey on them,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas.  “I am grateful to the FBI for their diligent investigation, providing key evidence that contributed to this just decision and holding yet another child predator accountable.”

"The exploitation of innocent children is a heinous crime and demands our relentless focus on bringing these terrible subjects to justice," said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey for the FBI El Paso Field Office.  "Thanks to the hard work of the FBI El Paso’s Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force, this sentencing sends a message that these horrible crimes will not be tolerated in our community."

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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