A Long Beach man is expected to plead guilty Friday to federal charges of producing and possessing child pornography and molesting a child in Mexico.
Jonathan Sandoval-Lepe, 31, came under investigation in September 2017, when an undercover detective obtained images from him over an online program used to exchange child porn with other users, according to the L.A. Regional Human Trafficking Task Force.
During questioning, Sandoval-Lepe implicated himself in the molestation of a child in Mexico, federal prosecutors allege. Electronic devices containing more than 600 images and videos allegedly belonging to the defendant were seized and forensically analyzed.
The victim — who was between 12 and 16 years old during the alleged molestation — and her parents were located and interviewed regarding the crimes, according to the FBI.
In September, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles returned a five-count indictment against Sandoval-Lepe alleging production, receipt and possession of child pornography, traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country.
Sandoval-Lepe faces up to 50 years behind bars and a $500,000 fine, although his plea agreement specifies a 10-year prison term and restitution payments of $15,000.