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April 6, 2007
Brownsville fire inspector indicted for producing, possessing child pornography
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A local fire inspector was indicted here Tuesday on four counts of producing and possessing child pornography. U.S Attorney Don DeGrabrielle, Southern District of Texas announced the indictment; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Brownsville Police Department conducted the investigation.
John Craig Zimmerman, 50, of Los Fresnos, is charged with two counts of producing child pornography by using or enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also charges Zimmerman with one count of receiving child pornography via the Internet, and one count of possessing child pornography. Receiving child pornography carries a punishment, upon conviction, of at least five years with up to 20 years imprisonment. If convicted, Zimmerman also faces at least 10 years and up to 20 years imprisonment for each count of producing child pornography. The possession of child pornography charge carries a punishment of up to 10 years imprisonment. Each of the four counts also carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation was initiated when the Brownsville Police Department received an anonymous tip that Zimmerman had images of child pornography on his work and home computers. The Brownsville Fire Department, where Zimmerman works, allowed Brownsville Police investigators access to the computer Zimmerman used. After finding a number of images containing child pornography, BPD investigators contacted ICE agents for assistance. ICE agents executed a federal search warrant of Zimmerman's house on FM 1575 in Los Fresnos. They discovered DVDs and computer disks containing additional images of child pornography.
Two of the minor children allegedly photographed by Zimmerman and depicted in pornographic images have been located by BPD and ICE agents.
Brownsville Police Department initiated the investigation and Zimmerman was originally charged by the Cameron County District Attorney's Office. On Monday when Zimmerman was charged in federal court, the state charges were dismissed. The case is now being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Bay, Southern District of Texas.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
This investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 9,700 individuals, including more than 860 in Texas.
ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. Investigators staff this hotline around the clock.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.
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