Pocatello man sentenced for sexual exploitation of 12-year-old

Alfredo J. Padilla, 59, of Pocatello was sentenced this week to 15 years in federal prison, followed by a life term of supervised release for sexual exploitation of a minor. Padilla pleaded guilty to the crime October 30, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Bart Davis said Padilla was also ordered to pay $5,100 in special assessments and forfeit the devices he used in commission of the offense. U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered Padilla to pay the victim restitution, to be determined at a later hearing.

According to the plea agreement, Padilla coerced a 12-year old girl to take pictures of her exposed breasts, then forced her to pose for pictures of her exposed vagina. A forensic search of Padilla’s phone revealed 43 images relevant to the case, and images of Padilla were interspersed with images of the young girl. When interviewed by police, Padilla admitted to taking the pictures. In court, Padilla admitted to taking pornographic photographs of the child and to using, persuading, or coercing the child to take part in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing the photographs. Padilla’s criminal conduct was discovered when his victim disclosed abuse to her counselor.

The case was investigated by the Pocatello Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.