Former North Texas elementary school principal sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for sexually enticing children

SHERMAN, Texas — A former North Texas elementary school principal was sentenced Monday for sexually enticing children, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bale, Eastern District of Texas.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Frisco (Texas) Police Department.

Oscar Figueroa, 47, of Carrollton, Texas, was convicted by a federal jury April 1 for attempting to coerce and entice minors. He was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison Aug. 1 by U.S. District Judge Amos L Mazzant.  Figueroa was also ordered to pay fines and assessments totaling $17,600.  Upon his release from custody, Figueroa will also serve 10 years of supervised release and he will be required to register as a sex offender.

According to the evidence introduced at trial, on July 7, 2015, law enforcement officers responded to a Craigslist ad posted by Figueroa, entitled “Dad sucking at AMC Stonebriar.”  The ad sought a young male to engage in sexual activity at the AMC movie theater located within the Stonebriar Centre, in Frisco, Texas. An undercover officer posing as a 16-year-old boy contacted Figueroa and began exchanging text messages.  After learning that the undercover was 16-years-old, Figueroa responded “Nice,” and instructed the undercover officer to meet him at a particular place within the theater.  Upon arrival, Frisco PD Officers encountered Figueroa, who directed an undercover officer to a bathroom for sexual activity.  During the trial, attorneys for the United States introduced Figueroa’s text messages with the undercover agent, his interview with law enforcement, about 120 Craigslist ads Figueroa posted seeking sexual activity, and the contents of his cellular phone.  Figueroa was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 15, 2015.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Miller and Jay Combs, Eastern District of Texas.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 14,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.