Former Los Banos Junior High Teacher Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Minors

A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Christian Banuelos, 30, of Los Banos, charging him with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced.

According to court documents, between July 8, 2022, and Nov. 15, 2023, Banuelos used a minor to create a visual depiction of the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Between Dec. 9, 2019, and Aug. 22, 2024, Banuelos received and distributed child pornography.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Los Banos Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Banuelos faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 30 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine for each count of sexual exploitation of a minor. If convicted of receipt and distribution of child pornography, Banuelos faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.