Two Illegal Alien Men from Mexico Indicted for Multiple Child Exploitation Offenses

FARGO - United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced that a federal grand jury has returned Indictments charging Lidio Santiz Julian, 26, and Hugo Lopez Diaz, 21, both Mexican nationals, with multiple child exploitation offenses related to the attempted production, receipt, transportation, and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

As alleged, on February 6, 2026, following a months-long child exploitation investigation conducted by the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, federal and state agents executed a search warrant on a residence in Stanley, North Dakota. That day, Santiz Julian was arrested in connection with CSAM. Multiple electronic devices were seized during the search of the residence. Forensic analysis of these devices by HSI revealed that another person living at the residence, Lopez Diaz, was also connected with CSAM. Lopez Diaz was arrested by federal agents on February 10, 2026.

As a result of this investigation, Lidio Santiz Julian is charged with Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography, and Hugo Lopez Diaz is charged with Attempted Production, Transportation, and Possession of Child Pornography.

An indictment is an accusation and notice of charges. The defendants are presumed innocent under the law unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Mountrail County Sheriff's Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Rappenecker.

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