US Army specialist from Puerto Rico arrested for child exploitation

PONCE, Puerto Rico — A U.S. Army specialist from Ponce was arrested on criminal charges related to his alleged child exploitation conduct. Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 24-year-old Derek Orengo Delgado May 8.

A federal grand jury indicted Orengo Delgado May 7 with five counts for coercion and enticement of a minor, transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, sexual exploitation of children, receipt of child exploitation material, and transfer of obscene material to a minor.

According to court documents, on or about January 2025, Orengo Delgado used a cellphone, online instant messaging services and social media to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 15-year-old female minor to engage in sexual activity and to produce a visual depiction of such conduct.

From Jan. 11 to Jan. 12, Orengo Delgado knowingly transported a 15-year-old female minor with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. During the same period, Orengo Delgado used his computer to produce and transmit the sexually explicit conduct and knowingly received child pornography. He also used an electronic device to transfer obscene material to an individual who had not attained the age of 16 years.

“No child should be deceived by a public servant whose pledge is to defend and protect with honor and integrity,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos. “This individual does not represent the honorable members of the U.S. Army. This case underscores the importance of zero-tolerance approach toward crimes against children. Our HSI agents are relentless and will continue to work with law enforcement partners to identify and prevent child exploitation in Puerto Rico.”

Timothy Henwood, chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Hernández-Vega, chief of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

For more information about HSI's efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969 or send an email to IntelHSISanJuan@hsi.dhs.gov.