A teacher who taught at a school in Española, New Mexico, who is a citizen of the Philippines, appeared in federal court on Wednesday charged with possessing child pornography.
This case is being investigated by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), who was recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.
(Learn More, courtesy of KOB 4 Abuquerque.)
The criminal complaint accuses Rodymar Pedrano Lelis, 29, of accessing videos containing child pornography from his room in a local hotel Sept. 7, 2019. HSI special agents arrested Lelis in Española.
“Child exploitation is a heinous crime, and these investigations are one of HSI’s highest priorities,” explained Jack P. Staton, special agent in charge of HSI El Paso.
“We plan to continue working with our federal, state and local partners to identify, arrest and prosecute child predators to hold them accountable for their reprehensible crimes.”
Lelis is lawfully present in the United States on a J-1 non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals involved in cultural and educational exchange opportunities.
He was employed at La Tierra Montessori School of the Arts and Sciences on the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
A detention hearing is set for Nov. 8 in federal court and if convicted of the charged offense, Lelis faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
HSI special agents, assigned to the Albuquerque office, conducted an investigation with assistance from HSI Manila and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Mease is prosecuting this case.
(Learn More. Law enforcement can more effectively collaborate to form a force multiplier of resources and capabilities in the ever-expanding global world of crime. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) bridges the gap. HSI has the ability to follow the “pipeline” and to proactively pursue the larger networks of illicit activities. HSI can serve as a force multiplier from anywhere domestic; from Minot, ND to New York City – to almost anywhere around the world with our international partners, either through the Transnational Criminal Investigative Units (TCIU’s) – which expand HSI’s footprint and enhance cooperation between partner nations and the United States – or through our 63 HSI International Attaché offices. State and Local law enforcement has the ability to leverage HSI’s unique legal authorities and global footprint to help combat crimes in their community; such as the growth and proliferation of transnational crimes and the rampant and far reaching cyber crimes – most notably, the darknet. Courtesy of The IACP and YouTube.)
A criminal complaint is only an accusation.
A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators.
Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 19,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child exploitation material, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children.
In fiscal year 2018, more than 3,000 (3,191) child predators were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 850 (859) victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form.
Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), is a Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST, which is being recognized in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
NCMEC to Be Honored in 2019‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East – Register Today
Time is running out to Register for the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon on November 20th, in New York City and give yourself & your clients a break from the show!
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The highlight of the 2019 AST Homeland Security Awards Program will be the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East, in the Jacob Javits Exhibition Center from 12:00pm – 3:00pm, room 1A05.
ISC East is the Northeast’s largest security industry event and ISC East 2019 will feature Drones & Robotics.
Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to both ISC East – and the Infosecurity ISACA North America Expo and Conference, where you can meet the world’s most innovative suppliers and cyber experts, immerse yourself in hands-on tech and learn from world-renowned speakers and thought-leaders.
Two Global Leaders – One Combined Conference and Exhibition
Already Exhibiting and/or attending the 2019 ISC East Conference?
Thank take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to take a break from the show – Invite your team, guests, clients and show visitors to a lovely and affordable plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for a fabulous networking opportunity!
Go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table.
***Limited space available so Register Today. There will be no on-site registrations.
The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!
Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in Physical and Cyber Security Fields including:
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
- Argonne National Laboratory
- The Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology (DHS S&T)
- The Department of Justice (DOJ)
- The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management (SEC OPM)
- The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Int Assoc of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (IACSP)
- Lenel, Attivo Networks, Hanwha Techwin, FLIR Systems, SolarWinds, ATI Systems, Everbridge, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., Gurucul, Regroup Mass Notification, BriefCam, ShotSpotter, HID Global, IPVideo Corp, SWORD Technologies, Kiernan Group Holdings, Allied Universal, Code Dx, Automatic Systems, TCOM LP, NICE Public Safety, PC Matic, Rave Mobile Safety, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!
Register Today at https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
Why the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?
American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert and SWORD Technologies.
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NCMEC & John F. Clark Honored in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards (Multi-Video)
