SAN JUAN, PR – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents out of Puerto Rico arrested a 32-year-old man accused of child exploitation-related offenses involving two victims aged 11 and 12 years old.
On September 2nd, ICE HSI agents operating out of San Juan arrested Joseph Cruz-Santiago, who authorities say attempted to coerce two young girls “to engage in sexual activity,” per a press release from the Justice Department.
Cruz-Santiago purportedly used “online instant messaging services, and social media,” in his attempts to persuade the girls aged between 11 and 12 years old, with the alleged conduct occurring between December 2024 and February 2025.
Officials say Cruz-Santiago is also facing criminal charges pertaining to the receipt and distribution of CSAM, with some charges stemming from the alleged illicit interactions with the two minor victims as well as CSAM allegedly accessed “from on or about July 13, 2024, through on or about July 2, 2025,” that is not related to the two victims.
HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos issued a statement following Cruz-Santiago’s arrest earlier in September.
“Child predators will find endless ways to manipulate their victims as part of their ill behavior," she emphasized. "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.”
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, who covers the District of Puerto Rico, also issued a statement regarding Cruz-Santiago’s arrest, saying, “There’s no greater priority than safeguarding our children from those who seek to exploit or harm them."
"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.”
Based upon the charges filed, which include sexual exploitation of a minor and coercion and enticement of a minor, Cruz-Santiago faces 15 years to life in federal prison if found guilty with the respective sentences being run concurrently.
On September 2nd, ICE HSI agents operating out of San Juan arrested Joseph Cruz-Santiago, who authorities say attempted to coerce two young girls “to engage in sexual activity,” per a press release from the Justice Department.
Cruz-Santiago purportedly used “online instant messaging services, and social media,” in his attempts to persuade the girls aged between 11 and 12 years old, with the alleged conduct occurring between December 2024 and February 2025.
Officials say Cruz-Santiago is also facing criminal charges pertaining to the receipt and distribution of CSAM, with some charges stemming from the alleged illicit interactions with the two minor victims as well as CSAM allegedly accessed “from on or about July 13, 2024, through on or about July 2, 2025,” that is not related to the two victims.
HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos issued a statement following Cruz-Santiago’s arrest earlier in September.
“Child predators will find endless ways to manipulate their victims as part of their ill behavior," she emphasized. "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.”
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, who covers the District of Puerto Rico, also issued a statement regarding Cruz-Santiago’s arrest, saying, “There’s no greater priority than safeguarding our children from those who seek to exploit or harm them."
"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.”
Based upon the charges filed, which include sexual exploitation of a minor and coercion and enticement of a minor, Cruz-Santiago faces 15 years to life in federal prison if found guilty with the respective sentences being run concurrently.
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