Wyoming Man Gets Six Counts for Exploiting Teen

CASPER, WY – Salvador Salas Jr., 32, of Casper, Wyoming, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after a federal jury found him guilty on six counts related to the horrific exploitation of a 13-year-old girl. The three-day trial laid bare a disturbing pattern of abuse involving a family friend whom Salas lured into a situation where he could inflict unimaginable harm.

Evidence presented to the court revealed Salas sexually assaulted the minor victim, then compounded the crime by recording the acts on his cellphone. A subsequent search of Salas’s home uncovered a trove of child pornography stored on his laptop and an external hard drive. Crucially, DNA evidence recovered from the victim’s underwear directly linked Salas to the assault.

The case originated when the victim returned home exhibiting signs of both sexual assault and illicit substance use, with visible burns on her lips. Her mother immediately sought medical attention, leading to the discovery of the abuse and a report to the Casper Police Department. An initial search warrant related to suspected drug activity quickly expanded when officers developed probable cause to believe Salas had captured sexually explicit images of the girl.

Federal prosecutors, led by United States Attorney Nicholas Vassallo, successfully argued that Salas abused his position of trust as a family friend to prey on the vulnerable teen. The investigation involved a multi-agency task force including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), and the Casper Police Department. The collaborative effort underscores the severity with which the feds treat these cases.

Salas’s conviction is a direct result of “Project Safe Childhood,” a nationwide initiative designed to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. This program prioritizes the investigation and prosecution of individuals involved in the production, distribution, and possession of child pornography, as well as the sexual abuse of children. The feds have been steadily building these cases for years, and this conviction is another win.

Salas is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14, 2023. While sentencing guidelines haven’t been released, the six federal counts carry significant penalties, potentially resulting in decades behind bars. This case serves as a grim reminder of the predators who lurk within communities and the vital importance of reporting any suspected child abuse immediately. Anyone with information related to child exploitation is urged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.

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