PORTLAND, Maine — A Texas man pleaded guilty May 30 in U.S. District Court in Portland to coercing and enticing a minor following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England.
According to the investigation, in December 2021, Juan Jose Torres, 26, coerced and enticed a 13-year-old to produce and send him sexually explicit images and videos. Torres first found the child on Snapchat and sent a friend request. They also communicated through Instagram, text, phone and FaceTime. Torres knew the victim was 13 years old and sent the child explicit images of himself, pressuring the victim to do the same. He became angry or threatened to harm himself if the victim did not comply. The child’s father intercepted disturbing Instagram messages Torres sent to the victim and notified his local police department in Maine. Numerous sexually explicit images and videos were later found on Torres’ phone in Texas.
Torres faces no less than 10 years and up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, to be followed by five years to life of supervised release.
HSI New England’s Portland Resident Agent in Charge office investigated the case.
HSI is a global leader in the fight against child exploitation. Last year, HSI special agents dedicated 1.2 million case hours toward investigating child exploitation. This heinous crime harms the most vulnerable in our society: our kids. As technology evolves and more people have access to the internet, children are at a greater risk than ever. HSI’s special agents and analysts around the world are dedicated to countering this threat.
Report suspected child exploitation to the HSI tip line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.
HSI’s Project iGuardian is focused on keeping children and teens safe from online predators through education and awareness. Schools, parent groups, and other community groups can request in-person educational outreach presentations to learn about the dangers of online environments, how to stay safe online, and how to report abuse and suspicious activity.