Uvalde Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Child Pornography Possession
A Uvalde man received a 120 month federal prison sentence on December 1, 2025 for possession of prepubescent child sexual abuse material, a case investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted in Del Rio. The conviction follows a multi year probe that began with online activity on the Kik messenger app, and underscores federal and local efforts to combat child exploitation that directly affect Val Verde County families.
A federal court in Del Rio sentenced 38 year old Gabriel Garcia to 120 months in prison on December 1, 2025 for possession of child pornography. The sentence concluded a case that federal authorities say began in 2021 when Garcia used the Kik messenger app to upload a video containing prepubescent child sexual abuse material on February 3, 2021.
Investigators traced the account to Garcia, and on November 14, 2022 agents executed a federal search warrant at his Uvalde residence. Forensic analysis of Garcia's cell phone identified 67 images and six video files containing prepubescent material that he had received through the Kik app. Garcia was arrested at the time of the search and pleaded guilty on June 26, 2023. Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses imposed the sentence in the Western District of Texas. U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons announced the outcome. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nallely Duarte prosecuted the case.
The case was handled as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 that marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For residents of Val Verde County the case highlights how federal and local law enforcement work together across county lines to investigate online exploitation, and how digital platforms can be used to distribute illegal material.
Community leaders and parents should take this conviction as a prompt to review online safety practices, monitor children’s use of messaging apps, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Media inquiries or requests for further federal information may be directed to USATXW.MediaInquiry@usdoj.gov. The federal prosecution serves as a reminder that authorities continue to prioritize investigations into child exploitation and that convicted offenders face substantial federal penalties.
