Hospital Employee Charged With Child Pornography

EL PASO, Texas -- Omar Jose Magana was arrested by ICE agents on Oct 14th and charged with possession of child pornography and remains at the El Paso County Jail with no bond.

Magana is the director of case management at Las Palmas Medical Center where he has been employed for about 18 months.

Las Palmas would not confirm if federal agents inspected any computers Magana may have used at the hospital.

According to court documents, ICE agents executed a warrant at Magana's home in West El Paso on Oct. 14 and seized three computers, electronic media, loose computer hard drives, CD-R's, video cassette tapes, camera phones, and several cameras.

The affidavit states Magana was read his Miranda rights and waived his rights.

According to the affidavit, Magana admitted that he had connected to the internet, downloaded and viewed at least 100 videos containing child pornography starting back in 2002. Magana started crying and told investigators that he was praying he would get caught, because he was addicted, did not know how to stop, and wanted help, according to the affidavit. Magana said that he loved his family and did not want to do this anymore because he knew it was wrong.

Las Palmas officials told ABC-7 Magana acted strictly in an administrative capacity and did not have any direct patient care responsibilities.

Las Palmas officials said as is normal procedure with a new hire, a number of background checks were conducted, including a statewide Department of Public Safety criminal background check and a Violent Sex Offender Registry Search. Las Palmas also checked with prior employers and Magana passed all background checks.

Magana is currently suspended without pay.