RIVERSIDE, California– A federal grand jury has indicted a San Jacinto man on charges of producing child pornography for allegedly making videos while he sexually molested a 5-year-old boy.

Steve Alonso Marquez, 31, of San Jacinto, was named in a four-count indictment returned by the grand jury Wednesday. The indictment alleges two counts of producing child pornography videos that were distributed to other people.

In addition to the production of child pornography, Marquez is charged with possessing child pornography at his residence and using the Internet in an attempt to have illegal sexual conduct with a young girl.

Marquez was arrested in the Southern District of California on August 12 after he arrived at a hotel in Fallbrook, allegedly for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the girl. Marquez was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in San Diego, where he is currently being held without bond.

The child pornography charges contained in this week's indictment stem from a search warrant executed at Marquez's residence on August 23. At that time, FBI agents recovered digital devices that contained the alleged child pornography, which included videos Marquez is charged with making while molesting a young boy at a location investigators believe is in Hemet.

“This defendant is charged with filming and sharing heinous acts against a child,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “This type of behavior has unimaginable impacts on young victims, and the distribution of images documenting child abuse only seeks to inspire additional abuse of children. This criminal behavior cannot be tolerated and will be subject to the most aggressive prosecution available.”

“The disturbing allegations against Mr. Marquez remind us of the predatory threat targeting the most vulnerable members of our society and the need to remain vigilant,” said Deirdre Fike, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.  “The federal government takes the production of child pornography very seriously. In addition to the horrific abuse suffered by the minor victim, the further distribution of images leads to the continued suffering of that victim and supplies the global demand for such images.”

The indictment charges Marquez with two counts of production of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. Each count of producing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum penalty of 30 years. The charge of possessing child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison because the images allegedly depict children under the age of 12. The charge of attempted enticement of a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum possible penalty of life without parole. Therefore, if he is convicted of all four counts in the indictment, Marquez would face a sentence of at least 40 years in federal prison and could be sentence to as much as life in federal prison.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.

The case against Marquez is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Teresa K.B. Beecham.

USAO – California, Central Updated October 11, 2016

Central District of California DOJ / 16-244 / October 7, 2016