SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Julio Figueroa-Álvarez, 32, of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, is facing federal charges after a grand jury indicted him on September 10, 2025, for sex trafficking of a child and coercion/enticement of a minor. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested the repeat offender today, bringing him back into the federal system less than a decade after completing a ten-year sentence for similar crimes.
According to court documents, Figueroa-Álvarez allegedly recruited, enticed, transported, and maintained a 13-year-old male minor for commercial sexual acts between December 2024 and February 2025. The indictment further alleges he used digital tools – a cellular phone, instant messaging, and social media – to persuade and coerce the victim into prostitution and sexual activity. This isn’t his first time facing these accusations; Figueroa-Álvarez was convicted in 2016 following a 2014 arrest for sexual exploitation of minors.
“Predators who target and coerce the vulnerable in our jurisdiction will face appropriately serious sanctions under federal law,” stated U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to seek justice to vindicate the rights of human trafficking victims.” Muldrow’s office is aggressively pursuing the case, highlighting the severity of the charges and the commitment to protecting victims.
Rebecca González-Ramos, HSI San Juan’s Special Agent in Charge, minced no words about the ongoing threat. “Child predators remain determined to exploit minors, but we are equally determined to stop them and bring them to justice,” she said. “We urge the community to take action before law enforcement becomes involved. Protecting our children requires vigilance and cooperation.” González-Ramos emphasized that sex trafficking isn’t just a mainland problem; it’s a grim reality on the island, and HSI is committed to relentless pursuit of these criminals.
If convicted, Figueroa-Álvarez faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison for sex trafficking of a child, and a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor. Any conviction will be followed by a minimum of 5 years to a lifetime of supervised release. The sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The investigation is being led by HSI San Juan, with assistance from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez Lora, from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. Authorities are urging anyone with information about potential trafficking or exploitation to contact HSI San Juan at 787-729-6969 or email IntelHSISanJuan@hsi.dhs.gov. For more information on HSI’s efforts, visit Know2Protect.gov. Remember, an indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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