In San Antonio, federal and state authorities arrested 43-year-old Seth Elred Perricone for distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

A federal complaint filed this morning, January 26, 2018, charged Perricone, of Canyon Lake, Texas, with one count of distribution of child pornography. According to the criminal complaint, from July 31, 2017 through January 21, 2018, the defendant transmitted several thousand files depicting the exploitation of children.

January 25, 2018, FBI agents and task force officers serving on the San Antonio Child Exploitation Task Force executed a search warrant at the defendant’s home in Canyon Lake and seized several digital devices belonging to the defendant, including a computer. A preliminary forensic examination of the computer revealed the presence of child pornography.

Upon conviction, Perricone faces up to 20 years in federal prison. He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing which is expected to occur next week in U.S. Magistrate court in San Antonio.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Comal County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Thompson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.