Victor Zelaya-Funez, Sex Exploitation of Minor and Child Pornography, Louisiana 2017

Sex Crimes: Victor Zelaya-Funez, 38, Convicted of Sex Exploitation of Minor and Child Pornography

A federal jury in Louisiana has convicted Victor Zelaya-Funez, a 38-year-old Honduran national residing in Zachary, of sex exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography. The conviction comes after a three-day trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson.

Zelaya-Funez was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 12, 2017, and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a) and (3), and possession of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B).

The investigation revealed that Zelaya-Funez coerced and enticed a child victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct and send him images of such conduct over the internet. He also possessed sexually explicit photos and attempted to coerce the victim into taking additional sexually explicit photographs of herself and creating sexually explicit videos of herself.

As a result of his conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor, Zelaya-Funez now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces a significant term of imprisonment for the possession of child pornography count, significant fines, restitution, and supervised release, and deportation following his release from federal prison.

The U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Louisiana, announced the conviction and praised the victim for her courage and strength throughout the proceedings. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office.

Zelaya-Funez also faces a separate federal indictment charging him with illegal re-entry into the United States by a removed alien. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Rezaei and Assistant United States Attorney Rene I. Salomon.

Zelaya-Funez's case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting children from exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals who commit such heinous crimes and bring them to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdla/pr/federal-jury-convicts-illegal-alien-sexual-exploitation-minor-and-possession-child