Laredo man given max sentence for possessing over 47,000 child pornography images, including some of minor relatives

Press Release

LAREDO, Texas - A 31-year-old man has been sentenced for sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual assault material (CSAM), announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Kristopher Santos pleaded guilty March 28, 2023.

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now sentenced Santos to 360 months and 240 months for the sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography convictions, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 360- month-term of imprisonment. At the hearing, the court also heard additional information including the history of the case and vast collection of child pornography Santos possessed. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the severity of his actions in producing CSAM as well as the sheer volume of images he possessed. Santos was further ordered to pay $126,000 in restitution to the victims and will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Santos will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

"This defendant is a textbook child predator," said Hamdani. "He is the reason parents lose sleep at night, wondering if their kids are safe when not with them. He was a trusted family member, who violated that trust when he both abused and utilized the minors to create child pornography images of his own. Parents can sleep better tonight knowing there is one less child predator on the streets."

"Today's sentencing marks a significant victory in our relentless pursuit of justice for the innocent victims of child exploitation. This 30-year sentence sends a clear message that those who prey on the most vulnerable members of our society will be held accountable for their heinous crimes," said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. "HSI remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting children and dismantling the networks that perpetuate these atrocities. We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to ensure that justice is served and that no child suffers in silence."

Authorities identified Santos in 2019 when conducting a peer-to-peer network undercover investigation. It revealed Santos was sharing CSAM online.

On April 12, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and discovered and seized several electronic devices. Authorities also discovered a trunk full of sex toys and children's underwear.

Santos acknowledged he was sexually attracted to children, viewing the child pornography and that the trunk belonged to him. He also admitted to touching two minor relatives inappropriately and taking naked pictures of the children exposing themselves.

Law enforcement ultimately identified a total of 47,729 images and 7,667 videos containing child pornography on the seized electronic devices.

Santos will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

HSI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Webb County Sheriff's office conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Makens prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ's PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

Updated January 15, 2025