Man Indicted On Charges Of Enticing A Minor To Engage In Sexual Activity

Friday, November 29, 2024, 3:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

GREENBELT, MD.- Today, November 29, 2024, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron reported that a Federal Grand Jury has returned a seven-count indictment against Juan Carlos Puente, 46, of Clinton, Maryland, charging him with multiple Child Sexual Exploitation offenses.

     The unsealing of the indictment charges Puente with two counts of Production of Child Pornography; one count of Attempted Production of Child Pornography; one count of Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct; one count of Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct in a Foreign Place; one count of Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; and one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

According To Information Unsealed In The Indictment

     According to the charging information unsealed in the indictment, beginning on or about October 1, 2021, and lasting through April 22, 2022, it is alleged that Puente enticed a child victim to engage in unlawful sexual activity and produce child pornography. Additionally, Puente traveled outside of the United States to engage in illicit sexual activity with the child victim.

     On January 9, 2022, Puente also possessed sexually explicit digital images depicting a prepubescent child and a minor victim who was under 12 years of age engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

     If convicted at trial, Puente faces a combined 150 years in federal prison. The actual term of imprisonment would be determined by a U.S. District Court Judge based on the seriousness of the offenses and Puente’s prior criminal history, if any. Upon completion of his prison term, Puente would be subject to up to life of supervised release and would be required to register as a sex offender in the national database.

     This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.