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Chicago Man Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation
CHICAGO — In a disturbing case of online exploitation, a 35-year-old Chicago man has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for preying on at least 14 young girls, most of whom were under the age of 10.
Armando Torres, 35, of Chicago, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of child exploitation and child pornography. On August 11, 2025, U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger imposed the 45-year prison sentence.
Torres used social media platforms, including Snapchat and Instagram, to contact and persuade young girls to create and send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. He often pretended to be a child himself to gain their trust, providing graphic instructions on how to pose their bodies and film themselves.
The victims, many of whom were younger than 10 years old, were targeted by Torres on popular social media applications. He designed his screen names to appeal to them and manipulated them into sending him explicit content. Torres’s actions deprived these children of their innocence and inflicted significant trauma on them and their families.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, while providing critical services to victims.
For those who believe they are victims of sexual exploitation, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is available 24/7 to provide support and resources. You can reach them at https://www.missingkids.org/ or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
Torres’s 45-year prison sentence is a significant blow to individuals who seek to exploit and harm children online. It highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation in protecting our most vulnerable members of society.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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