Puerto Rican man who transported a minor for sex found guilty
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – After a four-day jury trial, a Toa Alta man was found guilty Tuesday of two counts of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct and one count of possession of child pornography. The conviction is the result of a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force (PRCACTF).
On March 8, 2014, HSI special agents arrested Randy Charriez-Rolon, 30, at his place of work in Dorado after a preliminary investigation found that he transported an 8-year-old minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to court documents, Charriez-Rolon transported the minor to a park near his school and to the parking lot of a public swimming pool where he sexually abused the child.
The government presented evidence that Charriez-Rolon purchased numerous gifts for the minor to entice him into illicit sexual conduct. He also threatened to harm the minor’s parents if he did not agree to continue engaging in such conduct.
“Anyone who targets children for sexual exploitation should consider themselves a target by HSI and by our law enforcement partners,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “This case reveals the disturbing truth that some adults will go to great lengths to sexually exploit minors. The conviction of this predator shows HSI’s commitment to apprehending and presenting for prosecution cases of criminals who victimize our children. ICE will continue working with federal, state and local agencies to ensure that those who try to hurt children are brought to justice.”
In June 2011, in response to the need for an island-wide approach to fighting the escalation of predatory crimes against children, HSI San Juan formed the Puerto Rico Crimes against Children Task Force (PRCACTF).
Through PRCACTF, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies work together with local and state government agencies to effectively pool their resources and jointly investigate all crimes against children in Puerto Rico. Through the task force, law enforcement officers are able to share ideas, leads and evidence, as well as 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.
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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