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February 2, 2015San Juan, PR, United StatesChild Exploitation

ICE arrests Peñuelas man on child sexual exploitation charges

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Peñuelas man was arrested Tuesday in Ponce for allegedly transporting a 14-year-old female with the intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct. The investigation that led to the arrest was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force (PRCACTF).

HSI special agents arrested William Y. Maldonado-Rivera, 35, after an investigation stemming from a complaint by the victim's mother led to HSI special agents discovering that Maldonado-Rivera transported the minor from Peñuelas to a motel in Ponce with the intent to engage her in sexual criminal conduct.

"Cases of adults transporting minors with the intent to engage them in sexually illicit conduct have increased dramatically and HSI will continue investigating them and arresting those who steal our children's innocence," said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. "Our special agents will continue using their unique and robust investigative authorities to identify, apprehend and prosecute those who, very unfortunately and despite all of our efforts, think they can abuse our children and get away with it."

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ginette Milanes.

In response to the need for an island-wide approach to fighting the escalation of predatory crimes against children, HSI San Juan partnered with members of local, state and federal law enforcement, as well as local and state government officials and community leaders, to form the PRCACTF in June 2011.

Through PRCACTF, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies work together with local and state government agencies to effectively pool their resources to jointly investigate all crimes against children in Puerto Rico. Through the task force, law enforcement officers are encouraged to share evidence, ideas, and investigative and forensic tools to ensure the most successful prosecutions possible. As such, PRCACTF allows law enforcement to speak with one unified voice in defense of the children of Puerto Rico.

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 10,000 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.

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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