iL_weReo
2012-03-20 08:53:00 UTC
HSI arrests Puerto Rican man for production of child pornography
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's
(ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested a
50-year-old man at his place of residence Thursday in Humacao, Puerto
Rico, for production and possession of child pornography.
According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 1, 2011, Hector Caceres-
Segui induced a 16-year-old female minor, identified as "Jane Doe," to
engage in sexually explicit conduct, namely the lascivious exhibition
of the genital areas and performance of sexual acts, for the purpose
of producing a visual depiction in the form of still images.
"The exploitation of children is quite possibly one of the most
heinous crimes of all," said Angel Meléndez, acting special agent in
charge of HSI San Juan. "HSI will not tolerate the exploitation of the
most vulnerable members of our society and will continue working with
our partners in the Puerto Rico Crimes against Children Task Force to
investigate those who exploit our children and deprive them of their
innocence."
On March 14, 2011, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce McGiverin issued a
search warrant based on allegations brought by Jane Doe. In essence,
Jane Doe alleged that approximately six months previously, Caceres-
Segui had taken photos of her while in sexually explicit and naked
positions. She further alleged that Caceres-Segui took pictures while
she was in the shower.
The next day HSI executed the search warrant at Caceres-Segui's
residence, seizing a laptop computer. A preliminary forensic
examination of the seized computer revealed several images depicting
Jane Doe posing in a sexually explicit manner exposing her genitals.
Immediately thereafter, HSI special agents arrested Caceres-Segui.
The investigation is part of HSI's Operation Predator, a nationwide
initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who sexually
exploit children; and the Puerto Rico Crimes against Children Task
Force (PRCACTF). As part of Operation Predator, HSI encourages the
public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity
through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423 or its online tip
form. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be
reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an
Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com
In response to the need for an island-wide approach to fighting the
escalation of predatory crimes against children, HSI San Juan
partnered with members of local, state and federal law enforcement, as
well as local and state government officials and community leaders, to
form the PRCACTF in June 2011.
Through PRCACTF, federal, local and state law enforcement agencies
work together with state and local government agencies to effectively
pool their resources to jointly investigate all crimes against
children in Puerto Rico. Through the task force, law enforcement
agents are encouraged to share evidence, ideas, and investigative and
forensic tools to ensure the most successful prosecutions possible. As
such, PRCACTF allows law enforcement to speak with one unified voice
in defense of the children of Puerto Rico.
If convicted, Caceres-Segui faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15
years in prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in prison
per count.
____________________________
Greek man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for traveling in
interstate commerce to have sex with minors
DENVER — A man from Athens, Greece, was sentenced this week to serve
10 years in federal prison for traveling with intent to engage in
illicit sexual conduct. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations
(HSI).
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Wiley Y. Daniel also ordered Georgios
Sgouros, 43, to serve 10 years supervised release, although the
defendant is a citizen and national of Greece; therefore, he faces
deportation immediately after he completes his prison sentence.
Sgouros was charged by criminal complaint June 16, 2010. He was
indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver July 12, 2010. He pleaded
guilty to the travel with intent to engage in sexual conduct charge
Dec. 1, 2011. He was sentenced March 13, 2012.
According to court documents, on Jan. 28, 2010, an HSI special agent
in an undercover capacity posed as a single mother with two girls,
ages 5 and 7. While in an undercover capacity, the special agent
engaged in an Internet chat with Sgouros who expressed interest in
traveling to Colorado to have sex with the two children. During the
chat, Sgouros and the undercover special agent also discussed the
logistics of where he would stay during his visit, and how they would
meet at the airport. During the next several months, Sgouros and the
undercover special agent exchanged emails and private chats regarding
Sgouros' intention to engage in sexual activity with the children. On
June 13 and 14, 2010, Sgouros emailed the undercover special agent his
travel itinerary from Athens to Denver. On June 15, 2010, Sgouros was
admitted into the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) at Philadelphia International Airport. He arrived in the U.S.
aboard a flight from Amsterdam. He then flew from Philadelphia to
Denver, where he was met by HSI special agents and taken into custody.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Smith, District of Colorado,
prosecuted this case.
Other recent Colorado HSI "Operation Predator" sentencings:
Daniel Petura of Arapahoe County, Colo., was recently sentenced by
U.S. District Court Judge
Philip A. Brimmer to serve 78 months in federal prison, followed by 10
years of supervised release, for possessing child pornography. The
defendant bought a subscription to a website that provided child
pornography, and he accessed the website about 4,000 times. Petura was
found with more than 1,500 images of child pornography, some depicting
infants, and some which he had obtained from the subscription website.
This case was investigated by HSI.
Stephen Mark Erway of Denver, Colo., was recently sentenced to 10
years in federal prison by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Lewis T.
Babcock for violating the terms of his probation for possessing child
pornography. Erway was convicted in 1988 with crimes related to
sexually exploiting minors, including child pornography. He served a
prison sentence, and was released on probation. While on probation, he
violated the terms of his probation by improperly using computers and
by engaging in online relationships with minors. This case was
investigated by HSI.
"Prosecuting those engaged in the sexual exploitation of our children,
whether they possess child pornography or whether they travel to our
state with the intent of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, is one of
this office's highest priorities," said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.
"Thanks to the hard work of the FBI and HSI, and thanks to the
prosecutors tirelessly working these cases, defendants who produce,
collect or possess child pornography have been sent to prison for
lengthy sentences."
"Our nationwide Operation Predator program in Homeland Security
Investigations aggressively targets and pursues prosecution for anyone
who sexually exploits children," said Michael Holt, Special Agent in
Charge of HSI Denver. "These successful cases provide some small level
of justice for the most vulnerable and innocent members of society."
Holt oversees a four-state area, including Colorado, Montana, Utah and
Wyoming.
This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI
initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those
who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers,
criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's
(ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested a
50-year-old man at his place of residence Thursday in Humacao, Puerto
Rico, for production and possession of child pornography.
According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 1, 2011, Hector Caceres-
Segui induced a 16-year-old female minor, identified as "Jane Doe," to
engage in sexually explicit conduct, namely the lascivious exhibition
of the genital areas and performance of sexual acts, for the purpose
of producing a visual depiction in the form of still images.
"The exploitation of children is quite possibly one of the most
heinous crimes of all," said Angel Meléndez, acting special agent in
charge of HSI San Juan. "HSI will not tolerate the exploitation of the
most vulnerable members of our society and will continue working with
our partners in the Puerto Rico Crimes against Children Task Force to
investigate those who exploit our children and deprive them of their
innocence."
On March 14, 2011, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce McGiverin issued a
search warrant based on allegations brought by Jane Doe. In essence,
Jane Doe alleged that approximately six months previously, Caceres-
Segui had taken photos of her while in sexually explicit and naked
positions. She further alleged that Caceres-Segui took pictures while
she was in the shower.
The next day HSI executed the search warrant at Caceres-Segui's
residence, seizing a laptop computer. A preliminary forensic
examination of the seized computer revealed several images depicting
Jane Doe posing in a sexually explicit manner exposing her genitals.
Immediately thereafter, HSI special agents arrested Caceres-Segui.
The investigation is part of HSI's Operation Predator, a nationwide
initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who sexually
exploit children; and the Puerto Rico Crimes against Children Task
Force (PRCACTF). As part of Operation Predator, HSI encourages the
public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity
through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423 or its online tip
form. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be
reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an
Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com
In response to the need for an island-wide approach to fighting the
escalation of predatory crimes against children, HSI San Juan
partnered with members of local, state and federal law enforcement, as
well as local and state government officials and community leaders, to
form the PRCACTF in June 2011.
Through PRCACTF, federal, local and state law enforcement agencies
work together with state and local government agencies to effectively
pool their resources to jointly investigate all crimes against
children in Puerto Rico. Through the task force, law enforcement
agents are encouraged to share evidence, ideas, and investigative and
forensic tools to ensure the most successful prosecutions possible. As
such, PRCACTF allows law enforcement to speak with one unified voice
in defense of the children of Puerto Rico.
If convicted, Caceres-Segui faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15
years in prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in prison
per count.
____________________________
Greek man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for traveling in
interstate commerce to have sex with minors
DENVER — A man from Athens, Greece, was sentenced this week to serve
10 years in federal prison for traveling with intent to engage in
illicit sexual conduct. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations
(HSI).
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Wiley Y. Daniel also ordered Georgios
Sgouros, 43, to serve 10 years supervised release, although the
defendant is a citizen and national of Greece; therefore, he faces
deportation immediately after he completes his prison sentence.
Sgouros was charged by criminal complaint June 16, 2010. He was
indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver July 12, 2010. He pleaded
guilty to the travel with intent to engage in sexual conduct charge
Dec. 1, 2011. He was sentenced March 13, 2012.
According to court documents, on Jan. 28, 2010, an HSI special agent
in an undercover capacity posed as a single mother with two girls,
ages 5 and 7. While in an undercover capacity, the special agent
engaged in an Internet chat with Sgouros who expressed interest in
traveling to Colorado to have sex with the two children. During the
chat, Sgouros and the undercover special agent also discussed the
logistics of where he would stay during his visit, and how they would
meet at the airport. During the next several months, Sgouros and the
undercover special agent exchanged emails and private chats regarding
Sgouros' intention to engage in sexual activity with the children. On
June 13 and 14, 2010, Sgouros emailed the undercover special agent his
travel itinerary from Athens to Denver. On June 15, 2010, Sgouros was
admitted into the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) at Philadelphia International Airport. He arrived in the U.S.
aboard a flight from Amsterdam. He then flew from Philadelphia to
Denver, where he was met by HSI special agents and taken into custody.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Smith, District of Colorado,
prosecuted this case.
Other recent Colorado HSI "Operation Predator" sentencings:
Daniel Petura of Arapahoe County, Colo., was recently sentenced by
U.S. District Court Judge
Philip A. Brimmer to serve 78 months in federal prison, followed by 10
years of supervised release, for possessing child pornography. The
defendant bought a subscription to a website that provided child
pornography, and he accessed the website about 4,000 times. Petura was
found with more than 1,500 images of child pornography, some depicting
infants, and some which he had obtained from the subscription website.
This case was investigated by HSI.
Stephen Mark Erway of Denver, Colo., was recently sentenced to 10
years in federal prison by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Lewis T.
Babcock for violating the terms of his probation for possessing child
pornography. Erway was convicted in 1988 with crimes related to
sexually exploiting minors, including child pornography. He served a
prison sentence, and was released on probation. While on probation, he
violated the terms of his probation by improperly using computers and
by engaging in online relationships with minors. This case was
investigated by HSI.
"Prosecuting those engaged in the sexual exploitation of our children,
whether they possess child pornography or whether they travel to our
state with the intent of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, is one of
this office's highest priorities," said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.
"Thanks to the hard work of the FBI and HSI, and thanks to the
prosecutors tirelessly working these cases, defendants who produce,
collect or possess child pornography have been sent to prison for
lengthy sentences."
"Our nationwide Operation Predator program in Homeland Security
Investigations aggressively targets and pursues prosecution for anyone
who sexually exploits children," said Michael Holt, Special Agent in
Charge of HSI Denver. "These successful cases provide some small level
of justice for the most vulnerable and innocent members of society."
Holt oversees a four-state area, including Colorado, Montana, Utah and
Wyoming.
This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI
initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those
who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers,
criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers.