Man Sentenced to Prison for Using Facebook to Lure Minor Victim

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A man who used an elaborate ruse to meet minor girls over Facebook and attempt to coerce them into unlawful sexual activity was sentenced today to 10 years in prison.

Juan Torres-Hernandez, 23, of Triangle, pleaded guilty to transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to court documents, Torres-Hernandez created a Facebook account using a false name, age, and photograph. Using this account, Torres-Hernandez contacted multiple minor girls and attempted to convince them to meet him for sex. Torres-Hernandez eventually convinced a 15-year old victim to send him nude photographs and to meet in person. When Torres-Hernandez met the victim, he pretended to be a friend of the person on Facebook to whom the victim had been speaking. Torres-Hernandez then drove the victim to his home in Triangle and engaged in criminal sexual activity.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Patrick J. Lechleitner, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Stephan M. Hudson, Prince William County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kellen S. Dwyer prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-283.