Texas man sentenced to life in federal prison for transporting minor to Mexico for sexual purposes

MIDLAND, Texas — A Texas man was sentenced to life in federal prison Thursday for transporting a minor to Mexico for sexual purposes. The sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Joel Aguirre-Lara, 35, of Greenville, Texas, was convicted Oct. 15, 2014, of transporting a minor to engage in sexual activity and aggravated sexual abuse of a child under 12 years of age.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that on Jan. 10, 2014, Aguirre-Lara, formerly of Del Rio, Texas, transported a minor female across the border to Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, where he engaged in sexual activity with the minor.

Testimony during trial also revealed that Aguirre-Lara had sexual relations with the minor female for about three years, beginning when she was eight years old.

On April 9, 2014, the Midland County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the victim’s mother regarding the sexual assault of the victim. The victim was taken to the Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center for an evaluation and interview.

A federal criminal complaint was filed April 11, 2014, and an arrest warrant was issued for Aguirre-Lara. He was arrested April 15, 2014, in Greenville, Texas, and has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, Midland County Sheriff’s Office and the Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center assisted in this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin Berry prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.