Chaparral man pleads guilty to child porn charges

A Chaparral man charged with child exploitation and child pornography offenses pleaded guilty Monday in federal court.

Juan Martin Rosales, 49, allegedly sexually exploited children and received and possessed child pornography from October 2015 through October 2017.

According to a criminal complaint, an investigation into Rosales began in April 2017 when neighbors reported to Doña County Sheriffs that he possessed a tablet computer containing child pornography.

Rosales is also accused of using a cell phone to take photographs of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

During a search warrant on October 16, 2017, law enforcement allegedly found numerous SD cards, cell phones, a tablet computer and other electronics at Rosales’ home.

Rosales was indicted on January 17 and was charged 15 counts of producing child pornography and three counts of possessing child pornography.

The indictment charged Rosales with producing child pornography 15 times in September 2016. According to the indictment, Rosales committed the crime in Otero County.

Rosales faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 year in prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.