A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with child exploitation in Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, Roberto Gadiel León-López, then 19, transported a 13-year-old female minor from her house to another location with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity in August 2024.
An investigation was initiated by law enforcement authorities related to this incident and, on April 15, 2026, a federal Grand Jury returned a one-count indictment charging León-López with transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(a).
León-López was arrested on May 12, 2026, in Minnesota following a traffic stop and had his initial appearance on May 13. He is scheduled to have a detention and identity hearing on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Minnesota.
If convicted, León-López faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum penalty of up to life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elba Gorbea is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.
León-López is expected to be transferred to the District of Puerto Rico after the scheduled hearings for further criminal proceedings.
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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