ICE arrests Dorado resident on child exploitation charges
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested a man Jan. 21 for attempted sexual enticement of a minor and attempted production of child pornography.
Yarel Franco-Gonzalez, 22, was arrested in Guaynabo when he was being interviewed by HSI special agents regarding the allegation.
According to the criminal complaint, on Dec.15, HSI special agents assigned to the child exploitation investigations group received information from the parent of a 14-year-old male minor alleging Franco-Gonzalez requested sexually explicit images of the minor using a smartphone messaging application.
The charging document also alleges that on Dec.19, Franco-Gonzalez sent a WhatsApp message to the minor which contained a sexually explicit image. The criminal complaint further alleges that on Jan. 15, Franco-Gonzalez used the messaging application to send a sexually explicit message to the alleged victim.
On Jan. 15, an HSI special agent acting in an undercover capacity assumed the online identity of the minor. The investigation revealed that Franco-Gonzalez, in fact, induced the minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct.
On Jan. 21, Franco-Gonzalez admitted to HSI special agents that he used his smartphone to request sexually explicit images of the minor. He was placed under arrest immediately.
“Research shows one in 25 children ages 10 to 17 have received an online sexual overture where the person attempted to meet the child face-to-face,” said Ricardo Mayoral, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “HSI will continue to be committed to identifying and apprehending individuals who sexually exploit our children and deprive them of their innocence. It may take a while, but you will be arrested and brought to justice.”
Franco-Gonzalez had his initial hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos Lopez Friday. His detention hearing was scheduled for Jan. 27. He was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo awaiting the outcome of his case.
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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