Corozal man sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor

According to court records, between February 2020 and April 2022, the defendant used and coerced a minor between the ages of 12 and 14 to engage in sexual acts in order to produce explicit images using his cell phone.

By The Star Staff

U.S. District Court Presiding Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach sentenced Elvin Jhohanie Molina Rosado, 36, of Corozal, to 25 years in prison and 15 years of supervised release on Tuesday for child exploitation of a minor.

According to court records, between February 2020 and April 2022, Molina Rosado used and coerced a minor between the ages of 12 and 14 to engage in sexual acts in order to produce explicit images using his cell phone. In April 2022, the Puerto Rico Police referred the case to the Crimes Against Children Division of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), leading to his arrest and prosecution.

“This case demonstrates the Department of Justice’s determination to prosecute those who exploit and victimize our children,” U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow said in a written statement.

HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos emphasized that “the exploitation of a minor is abhorrent” and that authorities are committed to eradicating such crimes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Hernández Vega prosecuted the case with support from the Puerto Rico Police and as part of Project Safe Childhood, a federal initiative to combat child exploitation.

The Justice Department noted that the project mobilizes resources from federal, state, and local agencies to locate, arrest, and prosecute child abusers and rescue victims. More information about the initiative can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.