Brian Luis Valentín-Ramos, a resident of Puerto Rico, has been charged with child pornography and cyberstalking. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Valentín-Ramos conspired with others to gain unauthorized access to social media accounts of female victims, primarily in Puerto Rico, including those at the University of Puerto Rico. The conspirators would steal intimate pictures of the victims and sell them using Twitter, Reddit, and Telegram.
The charges against Valentín-Ramos include possession, distribution, and sale of child pornography; conspiring to illegally obtain information from protected computers; and cyberstalking. The sale and distribution of child pornography charges carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years. Cyberstalking carries a maximum sentence of five years of imprisonment. Possession of child pornography carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Valentín-Ramos also possessed, distributed, and sold sexually explicit photos of two female minors, including one who was 15 years old. He was arrested on March 24, 2023, and ordered detained pending trial due to an adjudication that he is a danger to the community.
The investigation was led by the FBI’s San Juan Cyber Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanette Collazo is in charge of the prosecution. The charges against Valentín-Ramos were announced by W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office.
Valentín-Ramos faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case against Valentín-Ramos is a reminder of the importance of online safety and the consequences of cybercrime. It serves as a warning to individuals who engage in such activities that they will be held accountable for their actions.
Brian Luis Valentín-Ramos is scheduled to appear in court on April 7, 2023, for a detention hearing. The case is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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