Clinton Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing & Producing Child Pornography

Monday, December 1, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

GREENBELT, MD.- Last Monday, a 47-year-old Clinton, Maryland, man, a child predator, learned he will be facing up to five decades in federal prison when sentenced early next year, after pleading guilty to enticing a child to send him sexually explicit digital images and video files of herself performing sex acts on herself over a social media platform.

     According to U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes, on Monday, November 24, 2025, Juan Carlos Puente, 47, of Clinton, Maryland, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis to Production of Child Pornography; and Possession of Child Pornography.

     Following entering his guilty plea, Judge Xinis accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for January 26, 2026. At that time, Puente faces on both charges a mandatory minimum of fifteen years and up to 50 years in federal prison, at least five years, and up to a lifetime of supervised release. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Puente will be required to register as a sex offender in the National Database.

     When sentenced, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offenses and Puente’s prior criminal history, if any.

According To Charging Documents Filed With The District Court

     According to charging documents and statements made in the District Court, beginning on and around October 1, 2021, and lasting through April 22, 2022, Puente coerced and enticed a child, who resided in the Dominican Republic, to engage in unlawful sexual activity and to produce digital images and video files of child pornography, specifically, through Facebook Messenger. Puente enticed the child to perform sexual acts on herself and send the video files of her engaging in the requested sexually explicit conduct in exchange for money.

     The messages revealed Puente sending money transfer ID numbers to the child and showing him sending money on multiple occasions.

     On January 9, 2024, Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a court-authorized search warrant at Puente’s Clinton, Maryland, residence. During the search, Investigators seized multiple electronic devices and other evidence from his home. A forensic examination of those devices uncovered digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of young children.

     U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Prince George’s County Police Department, which led to the arrest of Puente and his guilty plea.