E.D. Tex. · Child PornographyFY2018–FY2025
Districts › Eastern District of Texas
Child Pornography in the Eastern District of Texas
E.D. Tex. · Fifth Circuit · Child Pornography nationally
The datafile contains cases reported to the Commission with sentencing documents. Sentence length statistics use the Commission's capped variable (sentences of 470 months or longer, including life, are recorded as 470 months) and exclude sentences of probation or a fine only. Figures are aggregates of past cases and are not a prediction for any case.
§ 1Length of prison terms
Interquartile range 97–151 months; mean 136. <10 cases at the Commission's 470-month cap (life or longer).
§ 2Summary
Child Pornography was the primary offence type in 113 cases sentenced in the Eastern District of Texas between FY2018 and FY2025 (2% of the district's cases), with 16 in FY2025.
The median prison term was 120 months (10 years), longer than the national median for child pornography offences (96 months) and close to the Fifth Circuit median (115). Half of prison terms fell between 97 and 151 months; 100% of cases carried a prison term.
73% of these sentences were within the guideline range (nationally for this offence type: 33%); 18% were below the range on a government motion and — below it for other reasons.
Caseload in FY2025 was about the same as in FY2018. The median prison term in FY2025 (143 months) was longer than in FY2018 (114 months).
These are aggregates of past cases. The guideline range for any case depends on its offence level, criminal history and statutory minimums, and the sentence on the court's findings; no figure here estimates an outcome.
§ 3Position relative to the guideline range
Within guideline range 73%Above range <10Below range, government sponsored 18%Below range, other <10Not determinable 0
§ 4Compared with the district, the circuit and the nation
| Measure | E.D. Tex., child pornography | E.D. Tex., all offences | 5th Cir., child pornography | US, child pornography |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases per fiscal year | 14 | 797 | 162 | 1,334 |
| Share of district caseload | 1.8% | 100% | — | — |
| Median prison months | 120 | 67 | 115 | 96 |
| Mean prison months | 136 | 90 | — | 111 |
| Cases with a prison term | 100% | 94% | — | 99% |
| Within guideline range | 73% | 63% | 54% | 33% |
| Above range | — | 6% | 5% | 3% |
| Below range, government sponsored | 18% | 21% | 8% | 24% |
| Below range, other | — | 11% | 33% | 40% |
| Median final offence level | 30 | 24 | — | 30 |
§ 5Trend by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other | Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 14 | 100% | 114 | — | — | 0% | — |
| FY2019 | 17 | 100% | 84 | 65% | — | — | — |
| FY2020 | 16 | 100% | 99 | 75% | 0% | — | — |
| FY2021 | 16 | 100% | 143 | 94% | 0% | 0% | — |
| FY2022 | 12 | 100% | 99 | — | — | 0% | 0% |
| FY2023 | 10 | 100% | 114 | — | — | — | 0% |
| FY2024 | 12 | 100% | 128 | 92% | — | 0% | 0% |
| FY2025 | 16 | 100% | 143 | 69% | — | 0% | — |
§ 6Criminal history
Share of cases at each final criminal history category; grey figure: child pornography offences nationally.
§ 7Guidelines applied
- §none · 119 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2G2.2 Trafficking in material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor (child pornography) · 113 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X3.1 Accessory after the fact · 10 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X1.1 Attempt, solicitation or conspiracy (not covered by a specific guideline) · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
Primary guidelines the Commission associates with this offence type, with the district's caseload under each across all offence types.
§ 8Questions and answers
What is the typical sentence for child pornography offences in the Eastern District of Texas?
The median prison term over FY2018–FY2025 was 120 months (10 years), with the middle half of terms between 97 and 151 months. 100% of cases carried a prison term. The national median for child pornography offences is 96 months.
How often are child pornography offences sentenced below the guideline range here?
18% of sentences were below the range on a government motion and — below it for other reasons; 73% were within the range. The Commission's categories are explained in the guide to how the guidelines work.
How does this compare with the rest of the country?
Nationally, child pornography offences had a median prison term of 96 months and a within-range share of 33% over the same period. The district's figures are above on median term and higher than the national within-range share.
Which guidelines are involved?
The most common primary guidelines for these cases are §none, §2G2.2 and §2X3.1.
Is this a prediction for a particular case?
No. The figures are aggregates of sentences already imposed, as recorded by the US Sentencing Commission. They are not legal advice and do not estimate the outcome of any case.
§ 9Other offence types in the Eastern District of Texas
- Drug Trafficking 2,978
- Firearms 939
- Immigration 657
- Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement 635
- Money Launder 244
- Robbery 197
- Administration of Justice 124
- Sex Abuse 74
- Bribery/Corruption 47
- Assault 43
§ 10Provenance
Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Individual Offender Datafiles, fiscal years 2018–2025 (US government works), aggregated by this site; the FY2025 file is dated 29 Apr 2026. Offence type is the Commission's OFFGUIDE code 7; district is CIRCDIST 33. Counts below 10 are hidden or pooled. Errors in this site's processing are corrected at the next build; see corrections. Methodology.