RIVERSIDE, CALIF.
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 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 U.S. 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.
If convicted of the charges, Marquez is facing up to life in prison.
Marquez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.