A Jefferson Parish jury on Tuesday night (April 8) found former Metairie resident Guillermo Cadir Lopez-Pineda guilty of possessing child pornography.
Lopez-Pineda, who is in his thirties, was convicted as charged of four counts of distribution of pornography involving juveniles under age 13 and one count of possession with the intent to distribute pornography involving juveniles under age 13.
The charges stem from tips received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children beginning in December 2020, after Lopez-Pineda twice shared illegal images through Facebook Messenger.
The federal agency referred the tips to the Louisiana Department of Justice, whose investigation led to Lopez-Pineda’s apartment in the 2200 block of Giuffrias Avenue. State investigators linked the illegal imagery to Lopez-Pineda through the internet service provider and his Gmail and Facebook accounts.
After arresting Lopez-Pineda in October 2022, the state investigators found 136 illegal images that were stored on his cell phone. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.
In testimony on Tuesday, Lopez-Pineda pointed out that he did not live alone, suggesting that one of his roommates could have been responsible for what investigators found on his electronic devices.
The jury that was seated on Monday deliberated about an hour Tuesday night before returning with its verdict.
Judge Ellen Shirer Kovach of the 24th Judicial District Court is scheduled to sentence Lopez-Pineda on May 1.
Assistant District Attorneys Erich Cathey and James Wascom prosecuted the case.