After several weeks of investigation, Justin Barriere of Fisher County was arrested last week on charges related to the possession and promotion of child pornography.
The Fisher County Sheriff's Department was contacted some months ago about allegations regarding the possibility of child pornography, and upon further investigation, the local authorities contacted Homeland Security's criminal investigation division in San Angelo for assistance.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) is tasked with stopping online predators. HSI special agents have the authority to investigate illegal movement across U.S. Borders, as the internet is borderless and the sharing of contraband online is an international crime.
HSI worked with local law enforcement as well as the Texas Department of Public Service in the weeks that followed. Acting on a warrant issued by the DPS, the Fisher County Sheriff's Department and state troopers entered the Sylvester residence last Friday.
Officers confirmed there was a large amount of contraband that was seized from the home. Additionally, officers confiscated all electronic devices including computers and cell phones.
ICE’s Cyber Crimes Center (C3) uses cutting-edge investigative techniques to bring justice to consumers, producers, and distributors of child pornography, as well as to predators engaging in child sex tourism.
If an individual possesses more than six copies of sexually explicit images or videos involving a child, he or she could be charged with the intent to promote. Barriere was taken into custody and officially charged with possession with the intent to promote child pornography, a second-degree felony.
The Fisher County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the investigation that ultimately led to Barriere’s arrest was not associated with the task force multiagency operation that rounded up eight sexual predators in April. Presently, the investigation is active and ongoing, and officers said no additional information could be shared at this time.
District Attorney Ricky Thompson was unavailable for comment prior to publication, and the Department of Justice policy prohibits US Attorney’s Offices from neither confirming nor denying its involvement in any investigation.
At this time, Justin Barriere remains in custody at the Scurry County Jail on a $50,000 bond.