A Lincoln man has been indicted on charges linked to the distribution of child sexual abuse material, according to a statement released by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. Carlos Andrew Dominguez, 25, was formally charged by a federal grand jury this past Thursday. The court documents, as reported, detail that between March 6, 2025, and Jan. 9, 2026, Dominguez allegedly utilized peer-to-peer messaging apps to widely share explicit images involving minors.
The investigation, conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, uncovered hundreds of these illegal images being distributed. While Dominguez is currently held in federal custody, the gravity of the accusations hinges upon an extensive judicial process designed to thoroughly screen and scrutinize the evidence presented. If convicted, he could be looking to face up to 20 years in prison along with a $250,000 fine. However, as the U.S. Attorney's Office clarifies, "any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables."
This case falls under the aegis of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative that the Department of Justice launched back in May 2006. Intent on combating the escalating issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse, this program coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to not only prosecute offenders but also rescue and aid the victims involved. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Malinski has been positioned to lead the prosecution against Dominguez.
The presumption of innocence remains a bedrock principle of the U.S. justice system, even in cases that attract public outcry, such as these dealing with the welfare of children. "The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," as stated in the U.S. Attorney's Office. Those interested in learning more about Project Safe Childhood's endeavors or seeking resources can visit their website at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
