OAKLAND — A Hayward man has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material, files that were found after he allegedly talked with an undercover agent about molesting their fictitious 12-year-old child, court records show.
Erik Antonio Contreras, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar, on Aug. 30, records show. Prosecutors said that when the undercover agent told Contreras about the purported 12-year-old, Contreras said it was the “perfect age” and claimed to have molested a teen girl.
On his electronic devices were pictures and video depicting children being abused, some young enough to require diapers, prosecutors said. Contreras also sent the agent a picture of his own penis to show to the purported child. Prosecutors argued for a sentence of six-and-a-half years.
The defense blamed Contreras’ alcohol abuse, and a family member who showed Contreras pornography when he was a child. Contreras’ lawyer asked for a three-and-a-half year prison term.
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In an apology letter to the court, Contreras described himself as a “remorseful and deeply apologetic man” who still clings to the hope that he can redeem himself and live a productive life someday.
“It’s hard to say where this all started where I felt my actions were okay, let alone even think about them. I have struggled with addiction, the denial, and that I knew how to fix my problems. With my personal struggles and lack of awareness I’ve battled my demons and will continue to face them every time I look in the mirror,” he wrote. “I can barely look at myself and say that I am okay with who I am today.”
Contreras was charged last year, but released from jail while the case was pending. He remains out of custody and must surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by Dec. 4, records show.
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