A former corrections sergeant at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California announced Monday.

Ralph Contreras Jr., 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston after pleading guilty April 13 to charges involving the receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, Contreras received and shared the material through social media applications between Sept. 29, 2024, and Jan. 2, 2025. Investigators said he specifically sought out material involving prepubescent minors.

At the time of his arrest, Contreras was employed as a corrections sergeant at the Chowchilla facility.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced the sentencing.

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