Cosme Martin Hernandez, Jr., 34, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography. The sentencing was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In December 2023, law enforcement agents conducting covert operations identified child pornography files being shared from Hernandez’s residential computer. On February 6, 2024, Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence. Law enforcement found electronic devices containing child pornography. Hernandez was arrested at the scene.
HSI computer specialists later determined that Hernandez had received and possessed over 21,000 images and videos of child pornography within a four-month period, including material depicting children as young as toddlers. At the time of his offenses, Hernandez was an active-duty member of the United States Navy with approximately fifteen years of service; he has since been discharged under other than honorable conditions.
Hernandez will serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence and will be required to register as a sex offender. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of various electronic devices used in the commission of the offenses.
The investigation was a joint effort by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.