3 Indicted and Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Three individuals were arrested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on criminal charges related to child exploitation.

On Aug. 8, agents of the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested Eric Jonuel Collazo-Colon, 33, of Orocovis.

A federal grand jury indicted Collazo-Colon on Aug. 1 on four counts: coercion and enticement of a minor, sexual exploitation of children, receipt of child exploitation material, and transfer of obscene material.

According to court documents, from October 2023 through June 2024, the defendant used his computer, cellphones and social media applications to persuade and entice a female minor between 14 and 15 years of age to engage in sexual activity and sexually explicit conduct. During the same period, Collazo-Colon produced, received and transmitted child exploitation material. He also transferred obscene material to the minor.

If convicted, the defendant faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Y. Hernandez-Vega, who is the chief of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case.

In a separate case, Jason Daniel Vargas, a 19-year-old man from Manati, was arrested Aug. 8. A federal indictment was issued Aug. 7 against Vargas, charging him with coercion and enticement of a minor and the transfer of obscene material to a minor.

According to the indictment, in March 2023, the defendant knowingly used a cellphone and iPad to induce an 11-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity. Vargas also transferred obscene material to the child.

If convicted, Vargas faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Alvarez Lora of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.

In a third case, Roberto Rosa Martínez, 39, of Bayamon, was arrested on Aug. 8 for production of child sexual abuse material. According to the indictment filed Aug. 1, Rosa Martínez persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.

If convicted, Rosa Martínez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Alvarez Lora of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.

“It is imperative for our society to understand the importance of protecting our children from predators,” said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos. “As we have stressed before, predators come in all shapes. They place themselves in positions of public trust; they find the perfect moment to prey. It is our responsibility to protect our children, to be vigilant, to give them the right tools so they can protect themselves. HSI’s main objective is to protect our children from those who attempt to exploit their innocence or misuse their position of trust to harm them. HSI will continue to pursue perpetrators tirelessly and ensure they face justice so our children can feel secure at school, in their homes or wherever they may be. We also urge the public to say something if you see something. Your collaboration is key in the fight against child exploitation in our island.”

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

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to continuing our joint efforts with our state, local and federal partners to locate these offenders and ensure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico W. Stephen Muldrow.

For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Project iGuardian. To report suspicious activity, call 787-729-6969.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.