DETROIT – Judge Denise Page Hood sentenced Jovanni Ramirez, 28, of Pontiac, Michigan, to 15 years’ imprisonment for advertisement of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Angie Salazar, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his plea, Ramirez agreed that in June 2019, he collected, advertised, and sold images of child pornography online. Ramirez told one online user that he had over 500 videos, and that he typically sold each video for $50. Ramirez offered to sell an undercover agent child pornography in August 2019, using a PayPal account to receive payment. Subsequently, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ramirez’s residence and located over 350 images and over 100 videos of child pornography on his cell phone.
“Individuals who advertise and sell child pornography online are responsible for fueling the cycle of abuse that victims of sexual exploitation experience every time their images are distributed to others,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “Those who engage in this behavior should know that they will be prosecuted and held responsible to the fullest extent under the law.”
“This case shows the outcome of the tireless work of our dedicated law enforcement professionals,” said Angie Salazar, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit. “HSI is committed to holding those who sexually exploit our children accountable and will continue to seek significant sentences for anyone who commit these horrendous crimes against children.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Currie and Erin Ramamurthy and was investigated by agents of the office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).