Gun Runner Convicted of Possession of Lewd Images of a Child

EL PASO, TX – A 64-year-old U.S. citizen, Alvaro Castillo, initially encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers working at the Presidio Port of Entry on October 12, 2019 has been convicted of production, transportation, and possession of child pornography.

The initial incident occurred at approximately 1230 a.m. when the subject arrived from Mexico with two passengers. The primary CBP Officer selected the vehicle for a secondary inspection. During the inspection, CBP Officers discovered a .357 Magnum Revolver hidden within two pairs of pants, 302 rounds of ammunition hidden in a pressure cooker and a small amount of marijuana.

A subsequent interview of the subject took place along with further inspection of the subject’s personal effects. HSI special agents responded to the port of entry, and a preliminary search of Castillo’s phone revealed the child pornography. The subject was turned over to HSI Special Agents, to further the investigation and case.

As a result of the HSI investigation, a little over a year later, Alvaro Castillo has been found guilty by a federal jury of three counts of production of child pornography; one count of attempted production of child pornography; one count of transportation of child pornography; and one count of possession of child pornography. During the investigation it was found that Castillo traveled to Guatemala and video-recorded himself sexually abusing a 13-year-old victim.