⏱ 2 min read
Alejandro Morales-Varela, 25, and Gabriel Andrés Vélez-Ramírez, 28, were indicted and arrested for exploiting a 5-year-old boy in Puerto Rico. The men, from Arecibo and Lajas respectively, allegedly used a cellphone to produce and distribute child pornography between May and June 2026. Morales-Varela was arrested on June 26, 2026, and Vélez-Ramírez was arrested on July 8, 2026, by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents.
According to court documents, the defendants persuaded, induced, and coerced the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. They are charged with production, receipt, distribution, and possession of child exploitation material. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force are working together to prosecute the case.
The arrests are part of a larger effort to combat child exploitation in Puerto Rico. In the past two weeks, HSI San Juan has made six arrests for child exploitation offenses, with suspects ranging in age from 19 to 63 years old. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has vowed to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone who exploits minors for sexual purposes.
Acting United States Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó and HSI San Juan’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos have emphasized the importance of protecting children and holding offenders accountable. The case highlights the need for continued collaboration between law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: Puerto Rico
- Location: PR
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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