Illegal Alien Sentenced to 45 years for Child Exploitation of 12-Year-Old Boy

An illegal alien was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for child exploitation involving a 12-year- old boy, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

Julio Chavez, a citizen and national of El Salvador who was in the United States illegally, was convicted of one count of production of child sex abuse material and one count of receipt of child sex abuse material in August 2025. On February 11, 2026, United States District Judge Brantley Starr sentenced Chavez to 540 months in federal prison.

"The defendant exploited a young boy's innocence and vulnerability," said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. "I am glad the district court judge sentenced the defendant to over 40 years in federal prison for his heinous crimes. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the most vulnerable and innocent in our North Texas communities are protected from being exploited by sexual predators."

"The significant sentence imposed on the defendant sends a clear message that crimes against children will not be tolerated. The FBI will continue to work to protect the children in our communities and hold child predators accountable," said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.

During the sentencing hearing, court records detailed how Chavez groomed his 12-year-old victim, ultimately convincing the child to send a sexually explicit video to Chavez. Chavez also possessed hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse material on his cellular telephone.

After Chavez serves his sentence, he faces the possibility of deportation and exclusion from the country.

FBI Dallas and the Irving Police Department handled the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney's Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."