Are You Under Federal Investigation for Child Pornography?

 Posted on April 18, 2025 in Federal Crimes

Although both state and federal investigations are serious – and child pornography charges are especially serious – you may wonder whether you would know if you were under federal investigation. There are certain signs that you might not be aware of.

If you have even the slightest belief that you are under federal investigation, you should speak to a knowledgeable Plano, TX criminal defense attorney with extensive experience in both federal crimes and sex crimes. You have much to lose if you are convicted federally of child pornography.   

What Makes Child Pornography Charges Federal?

You could be charged federally for child pornography rather than under state law if the offense occurred in interstate or foreign commerce. Since the vast majority of child pornography is transmitted over the Internet, federal law is usually triggered, even if the image itself did not travel across state or international borders.

If the computer used to download the child pornography, or even the flash drive used to store the image, originated or previously traveled in interstate or foreign commerce, then child pornography can be charged under federal law. If the U.S. mail or other common carriers are used to transport child pornography across state or international borders, it will also be charged as a federal crime.

How Will You Know If You Are Under Investigation?

There are several ways you might know you were under federal investigation, including:

• You have a feeling that your cellphone or computer is being monitored.
• You were served with a criminal indictment.
• Your friends, colleagues, or family members tell you they have been questioned by federal investigators.
• You received demands for documents, emails, or other records related to an investigation.
• You received a Target Letter.  
• Your bank account has been frozen.
• You have recently noticed unfamiliar vehicles or individuals near your home or work, leading you to think you are under surveillance.
• Agents from the FBI have appeared at your home or workplace with or without a warrant.

A Target Letter directly tells you that you are the subject of a Grand Jury investigation. This means the feds either believe you have information about a current federal criminal case, or you are the target. In most cases, receipt of a Target Letter is followed by a subpoena to appear before a Grand Jury. Federal agents usually show up at your home or work either early in the morning or late at night.

It can be a truly terrifying experience to have the FBI show up at your home with a search warrant. They may only gather evidence, or they could arrest you, and they may be accompanied by the local police. If the FBI believes you are involved in child pornography, they will likely take every computer and phone in your home, even those that belong to other family members. If you believe you are under investigation, you should be very discreet when discussing the matter with friends or family members.

What Should You Do?

You should immediately contact a highly skilled criminal defense attorney who has significant experience in defending federal charges. As soon as you contact a criminal defense attorney, he or she will begin investigating and reaching out to contacts in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If charges are inevitable, your attorney can potentially keep the most serious charges from being filed or negotiate a plea deal on your behalf.  

Contact a Texas Federal Child Pornography Lawyer

The best step you can take to protect your rights and your future is to contact a Texas federal child pornography attorney from The Crowder Law Firm, P.C.. Attorney Crowder has experience defending very serious crimes – federal crimes and child sex crimes – and is aggressive and knowledgeable. Our firm has secured more than 300 not-guilty verdicts and acquittals for our clients. To schedule your free consultation, call 214-544-0061.