Vicente Muniz, Jr., Sex Trafficking of a Minor, Virginia 2024

Navy Sailor Faces Mandatory Minimum 10 Years in Prison for Attempting to Traffic a Minor

NORFOLK, Va. – In a shocking case of child exploitation, Petty Officer First Class Vicente Muniz, Jr., 35, pleaded guilty to attempting to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

According to court documents, on January 17, 2024, Muniz contacted a person he believed was the father of a 10-year-old child through a social media app. He set up a meeting to engage in sex acts with the child, explaining that he was supposed to meet another minor that day, but the minor stopped responding.

Later that day, when Muniz attempted to meet with the purported parent and 10-year-old, he was arrested by law enforcement.

Muniz is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19, 2024, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan M. Montoya and Anthony Marek are prosecuting the case.

The case is ongoing, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect the rights of all Virginians, especially the most vulnerable members of our society.

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