BEAUMONT, Texas — A Silsbee man was sentenced to federal prison for child pornography charges in the Eastern District of Texas.
Michael Joseph Fontenot, 51, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.
Denver Innocent Images Task Force conducted an investigation into people viewing and downloading child pornography through a social media app which led to Fontenot, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas.
A search warrant was executed by federal law enforcement at Fontenot’s residence. Several electronic devices were seized, including a cell phone, tablet, flash drives and a laptop.
A forensic review of the items revealed over 600 images of child pornography.
This case was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006.
"Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims," the release states.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.
From a U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas news release:
Hardin County Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Violations. A Silsbee man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today. Michael Joseph Fontenot, 51, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone. According to public information, an investigation by the Denver Innocent Images Task Force into individuals viewing and downloading child pornography through a social media application led to Fontenot in Hardin County, Texas. A search warrant was executed by federal law enforcement at Fontenot’s residence and several electronic devices were seized, including a cell phone, tablet, flash drives and a laptop. A forensic review of the items revealed over 600 images of child pornography. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
