Illegal Immigrant Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

Jesus Aranda-Martinez, age 25, from Mexico and living in Rock Valley, Iowa, was sentenced today to six years' imprisonment in federal court in Sioux City. Aranda-Martinez pled guilty on February 6, 2026, to one count of possession of child pornography. Aranda-Martinez is a citizen of Mexico and is currently pending removal from the United States following his prison sentence.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from April 2024 through July 2025, Aranda-Martinez received, distributed, and possessed child pornography. Aranda-Martinez admitted he used several chat apps and that he likes females in middle school or younger. Aranda-Martinez admitted he had received child sexual abuse material over the internet, including depictions of children having sex with adults. A forensic review of Aranda-Martinez's phone showed he distributed child pornography in "send to receive" groups. He possessed at least 62 images and 42 videos of child pornography. The images and videos involved material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct with prepubescent minors.

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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. and click on the tab "resources."

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime

United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Aranda-Martinez to 108 months' imprisonment along with a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Aranda-Martinez was also ordered to pay $3,100 in fees and assessments. Aranda-Martinez remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Sioux County Sheriff's Office and the Rock Valley Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.plLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

The case file number is 25-4053.

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