Adrian Abonce Charged

A shocking case of child exploitation has come to light in Philadelphia, as 46-year-old Adrian Abonce was charged today by Indictment with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

The Indictment alleges that on or about each of four separate dates (October 30, 2012, April 2, 2013, April 10, 2013 and December 6, 2014), Abonce produced child pornography. The Indictment further alleges that Abonce distributed child pornography on October 15, 2015 and November 3, 2015, and possessed child pornography on June 2, 2016.

If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 180 years’ imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment, supervised release for a minimum term of five years and a lifetime maximum term, a $1,750,000 dollar fine, mandatory restitution, and a $700 special assessment.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. The initiative has been instrumental in bringing perpetrators of child exploitation to justice, and this case is a prime example of its effectiveness.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Schlessinger. The collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies has been crucial in building a strong case against Abonce, and their efforts will hopefully bring justice to the victims of these heinous crimes.

The charges against Abonce are a stark reminder of the darker side of human nature, and the need for continued vigilance in protecting our children from exploitation. As the case moves forward, it is essential that we prioritize the safety and well-being of the victims and their families, and work towards preventing such crimes from happening in the future.