SWEETWATER, Texas — UPDATE (4:45 p.m. April 21): The Sweetwater Police Department said Thursday that after follow-up investigations, additional warrants have been served to Chano Martinez Hernandez. Hernandez was arrested April 15 and charged with one count of possession of child pornography.
The additional warrants and bonds, totaling $320,000, are:
- Possession of child pornography - $10,000 (original charge)
- Possession with intent to promote child pornography - $75,000
- Indecency with a child by exposure - $25,000
- Indecency with a child by exposure $25,000
- Indecency with a child by contact- $75,000
- Indecency with a child by contact - $75,000
- Possession or promotion of lewd visual material depicting a child - $10,000
- Sexual performance by child - produce/direct/promote - $25,000
ORIGINAL STORY: The Sweetwater Police Department is asking parents to call them if they believe their children could be the victim of a man arrested for possession of child pornography.
According to a release from the department, Chano Martinez Hernandez, 64, has been charged with one count of possession of child pornography and they believe there may be more victims.
On April 13, 2022, someone found a cell phone at the Circle Drive Apartments in Sweetwater and while trying to identify the owner of the phone, they noticed inappropriate pictures of a 6-year-old child, the release said.
The phone was turned in to the Sweetwater Police Department, who obtained a search warrant and found multiple lewd photos of the child.
A warrant was issued for Hernandez's arrest on April 14, and he was found and arrested at approximately 3:06 p.m. April 15.
At the time of his arrest, Hernandez had two phones in his possession, which were seized by officers and taken as evidence. On April 17, police were informed of two additional phones, one of which was reported to have lewd pictures of a different child.
The Sweetwater Police Department said it has obtained search warrants for the four phones. During an interview with the SPD and Texas Department of Public Safety, Hernandez admitted to engaging in sexual contact with the child.
Hernandez was booked in to the Nolan County Jail with a bond of $10,000.
He could face additional charges including possession/promotion lewd visual material depicting a child; indecency with a child by sexual contact; indecency with a child by exposure; sexual performance of a child; and possession with intent to promote child pornography.
The Sweetwater Police Department has reason to believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who believes they or their child was a victim should contact the department at 325-236-6686.