Three people from the South Plains are facing federal charges after being arrested in a nationwide FBI operation, including one person from Levelland.
Ruben Reyes Tijerina III, 26, of Levelland, was arrested and charged with one count of production of child pornography. If convicted, Tijerina faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison. The FBI Dallas Field Office, FBI St. Louis, St. Charles City Police Department and Levelland Police Department handled the investigation.
Additionally, Marcus Xavier Anguiano, 30, and Maddie Rhea Anguiano, 28, of Lubbock, were arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to produce and attempt to produce child pornography and one count of production and attempted production of child pornography. Marcus Anguiano faces an additional count of production and attempted production of child pornography and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography.
Operation Relentless Justice was a coordinated enforcement effort that resulted in over 205 child victims being located and the arrests of over 293 child sexual abuse offenders. The operation was executed over two weeks by all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorneys’ offices around the country.
The FBI’s Victim Services Division (VSD) assisted victims during this operation and provided services, to include forensic interviews, referrals for medical and mental health resources, and coordination with partners. VSD's mission is to inform, support, and assist victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.
This effort follows two other successful operations, including Operation Restore Justice in May, which resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sex abuse offenders, including seven from the Northern District of Texas, and Operation Enduring Justice in August, which resulted in the rescue of 133 children and the arrests of 234 offenders.