Former Ohio seminarian pleads guilty to seeking sex with infants in Tijuana
SAN DIEGO – A former Ohio seminarian pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted enticement of a minor after admitting he tried to adopt or purchase female infants in Tijuana to sexually molest them, following a months-long undercover probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Diego.
Joel Wright, 23, of Columbus, Ohio, admitted he placed ads on a Craigslist in November 2015 looking for a Mexico-based female tour guide. When an individual responded to his ad, Wright replied, stating he wanted a baby girl for sex. Wright then sent a series of explicit emails describing his desires, which included his intent to sexually molest girls from infants to age 3.
Wright was arrested in January at San Diego’s Lindberg Field. After arriving at the airport, Wright called the HSI undercover agent from his cell phone stating his plane had landed. Wright was immediately taken into custody by HSI special agents, who also seized two cell phones and a duffle bag with baby clothes, sleep aids, bottles, toys, candy, and lubricant.
“There are no words to describe the horror that might have happened, had an innocent baby been placed in this man’s arms,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “There is nothing more important on my agenda than keeping children safe from pedophiles.”
“I commend our special agents for their relentless efforts to prevent further exploitation of innocent children by the heinous predatory activity that was uncovered during this investigation,” said Dave Shaw, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “HSI is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners both here and abroad to protect children from becoming victims of child sex predators.”
Wright’s sentencing is set for July 1 at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw. He faces a minimum of penalty of 10 years in prison with a maximum sentence of life.
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 12,000 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 2014, more than 2,300 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. HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
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