Puerto Rican man sentenced to 2½ years for possession of child pornography
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A 51-year-old man was sentenced in District Court Wednesday to 30 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. The investigation that led to the arrest, guilty plea and sentencing 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).
On Feb. 28, HSI special agents arrested Jose Fernando Rodriguez-Vargas, of Carolina, after they received information from the Puerto Rico Police Department regarding Rodriguez-Vargas's attempt to use his cellular telephone to clandestinely take photographs of a 14-year-old girl at a local supermarket. According to the criminal complaint, Rodriguez-Vargas consented to a search of his cellular telephone during which HSI special agents discovered approximately 15 images depicting child pornography.
On March 19, a federal grand jury sitting in the District of Puerto Rico charged Rodriguez-Vargas with one count each of receipt and possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the possession of child pornography charge on June 24.
"Child exploitation cases are on the rise and parents should be aware of this as they are the first line of defense against child predators," said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. "As I have always said, HSI will continue to be committed to identifying and apprehending individuals who sexually exploit the most vulnerable segment of our society. Have no doubt, we will go after you, arrest you and prosecute you."
In June 2011, the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force (PRCACTF) was created by HSI San Juan to respond to the need for an island-wide approach to fighting the escalating number of predatory crimes against children. The task force is a partnership between HSI San Juan and members of local, state and federal law enforcement, as well as local and state government officials and community leaders.
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 a unified voice in defense of the children of Puerto Rico.
The investigation is part of 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 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.
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. 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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