Illegal Resident Convicted for Attempted Child Pornography Production

Alejandro Rojas Garcia, a 65-year-old Mexican national residing illegally in the United States, has been convicted of attempted production of child pornography. The conviction was handed down by a federal jury in Minneapolis after a four-day trial that concluded on October 9, 2026. Garcia now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months in prison, with the sentencing date to be determined.

According to the U. S. Attorney's Office, the investigation into Garcia began in early April 2024, following reports that he had sexually assaulted two sisters, both under the age of 13 at the time.

Garcia, a longtime family friend, was trusted by the victims' family to care for the children several days a week. The assaults allegedly occurred during these times.

Garcia was arrested on April 5, 2024. A search of his apartment, conducted under a warrant, revealed multiple cellphones, cameras, laptops, flash drives, and other data storage devices. Investigators discovered several hidden cameras throughout the apartment, including five in the bathroom, aimed at capturing images of individuals using the toilet and shower.

The search also uncovered numerous child sexual abuse materials on the seized devices. Notably, an electronic storage detection dog led officers to a wooden crucifix in Garcia's bedroom, where a micro-SD card containing child sexual abuse material involving one of the minor victims was found.

During the trial, Garcia testified that he was unaware of the child sexual abuse material on the devices in his apartment. However, he admitted to placing the material on the micro-SD card found in the crucifix, though he denied producing it for sexual gratification.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Stillwater Police Department, with assistance from Washington County Child Protective Services. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dana M. Joseph, Echo D.

Fatsis, and William C. Mattessich.

Garcia is also facing state criminal charges for related conduct, specifically two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 1st Degree, as charged in Washington County District Court.

The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative coordinates federal, state, and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims.