SAN JUAN, P.R.- Special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 32-year-old Joseph Cruz-Santiago of Caguas, Puerto Rico, on criminal charges related to child exploitation. A news release from ICE said Cruz-Santiago faces charges of sexual exploitation and coercion and enticement of two female minors, receipt and possession of child exploitation material, and transfer of obscene material to a minor.
It is alleged that between December 2024 and February 2025, the suspect used his cell phone, messaging apps, and social media to entice two girls, ages 11 and 12, into sexual activity while creating explicit images of the abuse materials. He also received child exploitation material and sent obscene material to the victims online. Between July 2024 and July 2025, he possessed and viewed child pornography, including material involving minors under 12 years old.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico issued a concurrent press release announcing that a federal grand jury indicted Cruz-Santiago on August 28, 2025.
“There’s no greater priority than safeguarding our children from those who seek to exploit or harm them,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of child sexual predators. We will not rest until those who commit these heinous crimes are brought to justice.”
Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge, said: “Child predators will find endless ways to manipulate their victims as part of their ill behavior. It’s important that we understand the mechanisms they are using and the risks our children have online. Parents and trusted adults must commit to educate themselves about potential threats and the latest online platforms to protect our children from sexual exploitation. Let’s all together take a Pledge to Protect.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emelina M. Agrait-Barreto of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking, and Immigration Unit. The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force, led by HSI, is leading the investigation.
Cruz-Santiago is facing severe penalties if convicted, including: (1) sexual exploitation of a minor–a mandatory minimum prison term of 15 years and a maximum prison termj of 30 years; (2) coercion and enticement of a minor–a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years up to life in prison; (3) receipt of child exploitation material–a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and a maximum prison term of 20 years; (4) possession of child exploitation material–a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum prison term of 20 years; and (5) transfer of obscene material to a minor–up to 10 years in prison. All convictions are followed by a term of supervised release (probation) of no less than 5 years to life. A federal judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors to determine the term of incarceration.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office advises anyone who wishes to learn of the HSI’s efforts to combat child sexual predators to visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities on the island of Puerto Rico, call (787) 729-6969 or send an email to IntelHSISanJuan@hsi.dhs.gov.
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