Sentence upheld in Marco Alferez case
Marco Alferez, the former Irvin High School dance teacher who pleaded guilty to making and sharing child pornography, was not able to have his sentence thrown out.
Alferez’s request was dismissed in federal court with prejudice..
Alferez says he got bad advice from attorneys and the feds never gave him a copy of the search warrant when going through his home.
“I was disappointed with the outcome of the judge’s order. I believe the testimony from the witnesses at last week’s hearing should have led to a different conclusion. I am carefully reviewing the order to identify POTENTIAL issues for appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit,” said Seth Kretzer, Alferez’s attorney.
Alferez pleaded guilty in August 2011 to sexual exploitation of children and distribution of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
ederal agents searched Alferez’s home in September 2010. According to court documents, agents found on Alferez’s computer 98 “commercially available” child porn videos and 157 hidden camera and self-produced videos where children were undressing or having sex with Alferez. Agents also found 121 video tapes in his home containing child pornography.
Court documents state investigators were able to identify the images on the tapes as being recorded at Le Baron Park Elementary School, Austin High School, Camino Real Middle School, Scotsdale Elementary School and Irvin High School. Alferez held positions at those schools over the span of six years, from 2003 to 2009. There were other locations found on the homemade recordings, including Coronado High School, various El Paso high school graduation ceremonies, Viva! El Paso and Disneyland.
Federal authorities identified a total of 393 victims in the videos. Court papers indicate the crimes beginning as early as 2001 when Alferez videotaped himself having sex with a 14-year-old girl.
In the court document, federal prosecutors describe Alferez as someone similar to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, due to his two personalities. Prosecutors say it was the trust and admiration he gained as a performer and teacher that allowed him unfettered access to the children who became his victims.
