An El Salvadoran national residing illegally in the United States has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for child exploitation offenses involving a 12-year-old boy, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould of the Northern District of Texas.
Julio Chavez was convicted in August 2025 on charges of producing and receiving child sexual abuse material. On February 11, 2026, U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr handed down a sentence totaling 540 months.
“The defendant exploited a young boy’s innocence and vulnerability,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I am glad the district court judge sentenced the defendant to over 40 years in federal prison for his heinous crimes. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the most vulnerable and innocent in our North Texas communities are protected from being exploited by sexual predators.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock stated, “The significant sentence imposed on the defendant sends a clear message that crimes against children will not be tolerated. The FBI will continue to work to protect the children in our communities and hold child predators accountable.”
Court records presented during sentencing described how Chavez groomed his underage victim, persuading him to send a sexually explicit video. Authorities also found hundreds of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on Chavez’s phone.
Upon completion of his prison term, Chavez may face deportation and exclusion from reentering the United States.
The investigation was conducted by FBI Dallas and the Irving Police Department, with Assistant United States Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh leading prosecution efforts.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation nationwide through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at http://www.justice.gov/psc.
