Former Columbia, MO Man Who Fled to Mexico and Faked His Own Death Sentenced to 10 Years for Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography

A former Columbia man who fled the country and faked his death to avoid federal charges for child pornography was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Diego Antonio Rafael Camargo-Wasserman was 18 when he was indicted in 2010 on federal charges of receiving and possessing child pornography.

Three years later, the charges were dismissed when federal agents learned and believed that Camargo-Wasserman had died of cirrhosis of the liver. In 2017, the FBI received information that Camargo-Wasserman was, in fact, alive and living in the country of Mexico.

The man fought extradition for six years until he was finally returned to the United States in March 2024.

Yesterday (Wednesday), almost 15 years after he was initially charged, Camargo-Wasserman was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

Below is the press release from the United States Department of Justice.

A former Columbia, Missouri, man has been sentenced in federal court for receiving and possessing child pornography.

Diego Antonio Rafael Camargo-Wasserman, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven R. Bough on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

The court also sentenced Camargo-Wasserman to 10 years of supervised release following his release from custody. Carmargo-Wasserman will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.

On August 8, 2024, Camargo-Wasserman pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

The investigation began on July, 2010, as part of an ongoing investigation into the distribution of child pornography over the internet.

During a search warrant execution, Camargo-Wasserman admitted to using Limewire to download child pornography.

Multiple videos depicting child pornography were found on Camargo-Wasserman’s cell phone.

Camargo-Wasserman was previously indicted on federal charges for this offense in 2010, however in 2013, a bail bond agent provided documentation from Mexico stating Camargo-Wasserman had died on October 5, 2012.

Federal charges were dismissed.

In July 2017, the FBI received information that Camargo-Wasserman was alive and was residing in Mexico.

Federal charges were filed again in 2018 followed by extradition proceedings to return Camargo-Wasserman to the United States.

Camargo-Wasserman was brought to the United States to face charges in 2024.  Camargo-Wasserman is a dual citizen of both the United States and Mexico.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.