Arturo Castro, Interstate Sex Trafficking, Connecticut 2017

Wilmette, Illinois resident Arturo Castro, 52, has admitted to traveling to Connecticut to engage in sex with a minor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in approximately December 2013, Castro began communicating with a 15-year-old female in Connecticut through the 'Chess with Friends' online app.

Using the app's chat option, Castro asked the minor victim to send him naked photographs of herself, and subsequently enticed the minor victim to create videos depicting the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct and send those videos to Castro.

In March 2014, Castro traveled from Illinois to Connecticut and engaged in illicit sexual activity with the minor victim.

Castro has been detained since his arrest on December 13, 2016.

Castro is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill on August 28, 2017, at which time he faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Castro is a citizen of Mexico and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.

This investigation has been conducted by Homeland Security Investigations in New Haven and Chicago, and the Clinton (Conn.) Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

Castro's exact criminal charges are Use of an Interstate Facility to Persuade a Minor to Engage in Unlawful Sexual Activity.

Castro's current status is being held until sentencing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/illinois-man-admits-traveling-connecticut-engage-sex-minor