Honduran child predator sentenced to 10 years following ICE HSI Boston, local police investigation
BOSTON – An illegally-present child predator from Honduras was sentenced June 17, to 10 years in federal prison for transportation of a minor for the purpose of sexual activity, following an investigation by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, police in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The sentencing was announced by Michael Shea, acting special agent in charge for HSI Boston and United States Attorney for New Hampshire Scott W. Murray.
Dagoberto Duarte Espinal, 23, an illegally-present citizen of Honduras, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity in U.S. District Court in Concord, New Hampshire on June 17. Duarte, who has an active final order of removal issued against him, will face removal from the United States pending completion of his sentence.
In June 2018, the Londonderry, New Hampshire Police Department responded to a report of a missing 13-year-old girl. During an initial investigation, it was discovered that the girl had been communicating with Duarte Espinal online. After the two made plans to meet, the 13-year-old was picked up at her home in Londonderry by Duarte Espinal and transported to Boston. The Boston Police Department were contacted and the 13-year-old was found in Boston and later returned home. Duarte Espinal, who was arrested in July 2018, by Boston police, later admitted that he had picked up the girl in New Hampshire and driven her to Massachusetts, where they engaged in sexual activity. Duarte Espinal pleaded guilty to federal charges on March 12, 2020.
“Homeland Security Investigations is strongly committed to pursuing child predators who use the internet to prey on their victims, especially in light of the increased levels of online activity by all age groups in recent months,” said Michael Shea, acting special agent in charge for HSI Boston. “It’s only through the critical teamwork of our law enforcement partners in the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire that HSI was able to help bring about the conviction of this dangerous child predator who is now no longer free to roam the streets of our communities.”
The case was investigated by HSI Boston, the New Hampshire ICAC Task Force, the Londonderry (NH) Police Department, and the Boston Police Department. The Office of the United States Attorney for New Hampshire, Scott W. Murray, prosecuted the case.
HSI takes a victim-centered approach to its child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. In fiscal year 2019, HSI nationally made nearly 4,000 child exploitation arrests, resulting in more than 1,750 convictions.
HSI works in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other federal, state, and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to NCMEC via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For Internet safety information for educators, parents, and children alike, please visit HSI’s iGuardians program to learn more.
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.
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