A court in Cuenca has sentenced a man to 25 years in prison after finding him guilty of producing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
The ruling was issued by the Criminal Guarantees Court of Azuay against Christian Darwin S., following a trial in which prosecutors presented evidence linking him to the creation, storage, and transmission of illegal content involving minors.
The case began in January 2025 after authorities received an alert from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States. The alert indicated that a user operating under the name “Cris Cris” had uploaded illicit material using online storage platforms.
Investigators traced the activity to multiple IP addresses in Ecuador, specifically in the canton of Sígsig. Further analysis connected the accounts and associated phone number to the defendant.
Authorities carried out a raid on the suspect’s home in June 2025, where they seized electronic devices and other evidence. According to information presented in court, a minor identified as a victim was present at the property at the time of the operation.
During the trial, prosecutors relied on digital forensic evidence, expert testimony, and international reports to support the case. The court concluded that the evidence demonstrated the defendant’s direct involvement in producing and sharing the material.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered financial compensation to be paid to the victim’s family.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to combat online exploitation of minors, often involving international cooperation and digital tracking tools to identify suspects and gather evidence.