Repeat child predator sentenced to 25 years for possessing, distributing child sexual abuse materials following ICE investigation

GALVESTON, Texas – A registered sex offender who was previously convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a 3-year-old child was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison March 12 for the distribution and possession of child sexual abuse materials following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Robert Earl Cochran Jr., a 63-year-old resident of Alvin, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to serve 25 years in federal prison to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Restitution will be determined at a later date. Cochran pleaded guilty Dec. 17, 2024.

“With today’s sentence we have removed an extremely dangerous child predator from the community who was an immediate threat to every child he encountered,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “After spending time in prison for sexually assaulting a 3-year-old child, he brazenly admits to getting out and actively seeking, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials with absolutely no remorse for the physical, psychological and emotional trauma inflicted on the innocent children who were victimized to produce them. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our special agents in Galveston, he is returning to prison and will no longer be free in the local community to harm children.”

ICE HSI’s investigation revealed that Cochran utilized multiple virtual identities to distribute, receive and possess CSAM of children approximately three to 12 years of age from Feb. 24, 2015, to July 16, 2019. Following his arrest, Cochran admitted he began viewing child pornography in 2015, shortly after his release from prison, and heavily traded it between 2015-2016. He also acknowledged using three cellphones to download and view the material. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement located nine images and 54 obscene representations of children depicting child pornography on those devices.

Cochran will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis Batarse is prosecuting the case.

To learn more about ICE’s mission to combat child exploitation in Southeast Texas follow us on X at @HSIHouston.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)