Washington, DC - A U.S. citizen convicted in Mexico for producing child pornography was sentenced May 19 to serve 199 years imprisonment by a Mexican district judge following an international investigation conducted by U.S. and Mexican law enforcement.
The sentencing of Gary Michael Fergolia is as a result of a joint investigation between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Mexico City, HSI San Jose, the Mexican Federal Police’s Scientific and Intelligence Divisions and the Mexican Attorney General’s Office (PGR).
Fergolia, 56, a previously convicted sexual predator in the United States, was also convicted in Mexico for possessing a firearm created solely for use by Mexican armed forces.
According to the investigation, in May 2010, Fergolia was arrested when Mexican authorities executed a search warrant at his home in Manzanillo, Mexico. Law enforcement seized child pornography, a firearm and a methamphetamine laboratory.
In June 2010, HSI San Jose initiated a parallel investigation following information that Fergolia had traveled to Mexico and had engaged in unlawful sex with at least one minor.
HSI special agents discovered the mother of some of the victims allowed Fergolia to access her children in exchange for narcotics. The Mexican government removed the children from the mother’s custody for their safety and security. The mother was also sentenced to nine years in prison for corruption of minors.
During the investigation, Fergolia admitted to producing pornographic images taken of local children at his home. According to some of the victims interviewed, Fergolia paid them to take showers with him while naked.
“We commend the Mexican government for their investigative work in this case to ensure that Fergolia never sees the light of day,” said HSI Mexico Attaché Tim Tubbs. “Working together, we can more successfully target predators who prey on our vulnerable. This case reflects the international commitment to attack this heinous crime not only in the United States, but also abroad.”
Through its International Operations, HSI has 67 operational attaché offices in 48 countries around the world. HSI special agents work closely with foreign law enforcement agencies. Additionally, HSI brings personnel from host countries to the United States to train at the Department of Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
