A 29-year-old Penitas man is heading to federal prison for receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material.

Jesus David Gutierrez pleaded guilty on Oct. 2, 2025, and was sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison and to pay $6,000 in restitution.

Gutierrez must serve five years of supervised release after completing his prison term. During that time, he will have to follow requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also have to register as a sex offender.

According to a news release, at the hearing, the court heard evidence that Gutierrez had roughly 56,000 files containing child sexual abuse material and was involved in selling pornography of adult women from the Rio Grande Valley. He was also beginning to collect child sexual abuse material for future sales.

Forensic analysis of his phone found 63 videos and 141 images showing prepubescent children in sexually explicit situations.

The investigation traced a computer tied to a specific IP address in Penitas that was downloading and distributing child sexual abuse material.

On June 3, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and found Gutierrez hiding in his bedroom closet. He admitted to having child sexual abuse material on his phone.

Gutierrez is currently in custody and will be transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.