Juan Torres-Hernandez Sentenced

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In a shocking case of online predation, Juan Torres-Hernandez, 23, of Triangle, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for using Facebook to lure a minor victim into unlawful sexual activity.

According to court documents, Torres-Hernandez created a fake Facebook account, complete with a false name, age, and photograph, to contact multiple minor girls and attempt to convince them to meet him for sex. His tactics eventually paid off when he convinced a 15-year-old victim to send him nude photographs and agree to meet in person.

When Torres-Hernandez met the victim, he pretended to be a friend of the person on Facebook to whom the victim had been speaking, further deceiving the minor. He then drove the victim to his home in Triangle and engaged in criminal sexual activity.

Torres-Hernandez pleaded guilty to transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The sentence was handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton, following an announcement by Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Patrick J. Lechleitner, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Stephan M. Hudson, Prince William County Chief of Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kellen S. Dwyer prosecuted the case, which was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Prince William County Police Department. The case highlights the dangers of online predation and the importance of vigilance in protecting minors from sexual exploitation.

A copy of the press release and related court documents can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, as well as on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-283. Juan Torres-Hernandez will now face the consequences of his actions, serving 10 years in prison for his heinous crime.