ICE arrests former teacher for possession of child pornography
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A former teacher of Toa Baja charged with one count of possession of child pornography was arrested Monday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents.
Angel David Acevedo-Sandoval, 34, a former math teacher of seventh and 10th grade students at a private school in Toa Baja was arrested at his place of residence following a federal search warrant that revealed the presence of child pornography in his computer. On Dec. 14, as part of a federal search warrant, an HSI digital forensic agent conducted a preliminary forensic examination on Rodriguez-Rivera’s computer. The forensic examination revealed several videos depicting minors of apparently 5-to-11 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct with what appeared to be adult males.
“The identification, arrest and prosecution of those who exploit the most vulnerable segment of our society – our children – continues to be a priority for HSI,” said Ricardo Mayoral, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “We will continue using our robust investigative authority and those involved in these heinous crimes should know that we will not rest until you are brought to justice.”
Rodriguez-Rivera had his initial hearing before U.S. Magistrate Bruce McGiverin on Monday. His detention hearing was scheduled for Dec. 17. The defendant was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo awaiting the outcome of his case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elba Gorbea is prosecuting the 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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