BRONX MAN CAUGHT IN AN INTERNET STING OPERATION IS CONVICTED OF TEN COUNTS OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND RELATED CHARGES

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 34 year-old Bronx man has been convicted of ten counts of child pornography and other related charges.

Mario Jimenez, of 5 Buchanan Place, pled guilty to 1 count of Promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child, a class "D" felony offense, and 9 counts of Possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child, a class "E" felony offense.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Acting State Supreme Court Justice Steven L. Barrett, will sentence Jimenez to a term of 1 year imprisonment, waiving the right to appeal or early release. Jimenez must also register a sex offender post release. Sentencing is set for Friday, May 7, 2004 in Part M60.

The under cover operation began on January 13, 2003 when a detective in Maryland, notified the New York City Police Department’s Computer Crimes Squad, of a series of conversations between the defendant and an undercover police detective who met the defendant in an Internet chat room.

During the chats, Jimenez would send the detective photographs of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts. Detectives from the NYPD Computer Crimes Squad contacted the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in September 2003, following their investigation. A search warrant was executed and Jimenez was subsequently arrested. Further examination of the defendant’s computer equipment revealed hundreds of images of child pornography.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Kampel, Supervisor, and Assistant District Attorney Robert Bergida, of the Arson / Auto / Economic Crimes Division.