Maryland Man Sentenced to 140 Months for Luring 14-Year-Old Girl for Sex

Washington D.C. Man Sentenced for Luring 14-Year-Old Girl for Sex

Jose Eduardo Valasquez, 62, of Solomons Island, Maryland, was sentenced to 140 months in prison for attempting to meet up with an underage child in Washington D.C. for sex. On December 15, 2023, U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan handed down the sentence, which also included 15 years of supervised release and registration as a sex offender.

The case began in November 2020 when Valasquez initiated a conversation with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl on social media. However, the girl was actually an undercover officer working with the FBI/MPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Valasquez offered $200 to ‘be with’ the girl in bed and arranged to meet up in Northwest, Washington, D.C. after getting off work at 5 p.m.

On the way to the meet location, Valasquez got a flat tire and had to reschedule. He canceled another planned assignation after being scared off by police. On December 14, 2020, Valasquez asked if he could pick up the girl at 2:30 p.m. to have sex. Members of law enforcement located Valasquez near the corner of 19th and C Streets Northeast, operating a Toyota Corolla, and arrested him at 15th and C Streets Northeast.

Valasquez admitted to driving from Maryland to the District to have sex with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl. He arrived at the arranged meet location for the sexual act, only to be confronted by law enforcement and learn that the 14-year-old girl was actually a law enforcement agent.

U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department announced the sentence. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Metropolitan Police Department Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Arco and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Bond, as well as former Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Buckner.

Valasquez pleaded guilty to a count of coercion and enticement on December 15, 2023. His efforts to entice the person to meet him at locations outside of the District of Columbia were for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl.

The case highlights the importance of online safety and the risks of child sex trafficking. The public is reminded to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

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