Ex-political consultant pleads guilty to child porn charge

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – A former New Mexico political consultant has pleaded guilty in Albuquerque federal court to a child pornography charge in a case stemming from theft of emails from Gov. Susana Martinez’s campaign.

Jason Loera pleaded guilty Friday to receipt of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. It was one of six pornography counts he faced under a federal indictment.

The 47-year-old former Albuquerque resident now lives in Los Angeles. He faces between 5 and 20 years in prison when sentenced.

Loera became the subject of a pornography investigation when federal agents found pornographic files while examining his personal computer during an investigation of the theft of Martinez campaign emails.

Loera’s plea deal allows him to appeal a judge’s denial of a motion to suppress evidence.

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