CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The blue line didn’t protect her. Daniel Verduzco, 31, of Corpus Christi, was sentenced to 15 years – 180 months – in federal prison today for preying on a 15-year-old girl. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentence, a grim reminder that those sworn to protect can be the very predators in our communities.
Verduzco pleaded guilty on May 23rd, admitting to enticing a minor. But the details are far more sickening. Investigators uncovered a digital trail of depravity – over 3,700 messages exchanged between Verduzco and the victim, dating back to May 2024. These weren’t innocent chats. They contained sexually suggestive images and explicit accounts of past and planned sexual acts. The fact that this abuse unfolded while Verduzco was actively employed as a police officer is a betrayal of the public trust and a stain on the badge he wore.
U.S. District Judge David Morales didn’t mince words during sentencing. The judge specifically cited Verduzco’s position of authority and the fact he actively pursued the victim while on duty as aggravating factors. This wasn’t a fleeting lapse in judgment; it was a calculated and sustained pattern of abuse. Following his prison term, Verduzco will face 10 years of supervised release, subject to strict restrictions designed to prevent further contact with children and limit his internet access. He will also be required to register as a sex offender – a label he will carry for the rest of his life.
The investigation, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Corpus Christi Police Department, revealed multiple in-person meetings between Verduzco and the victim. The extent of the damage inflicted on this young girl is immeasurable. Restitution will be addressed at a later hearing, but no amount of money can truly compensate for the trauma she has endured.
Verduzco, previously released on bond, was taken into custody immediately following the sentencing and will await transfer to a yet-to-be-determined Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation. The DOJ, through its U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, is dedicated to bringing these predators to justice. You can find more information about PSC and internet safety resources at DOJ’s PSC page and the resources tab on that page.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman prosecuted the case. This conviction serves as a stark warning: abusing a child, especially when in a position of power, will be met with the full force of the law. But it also underscores the urgent need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect our most vulnerable citizens.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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