⏱ 2 min read
A 29-year-old Worcester man, Antonio Merced, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually exploiting three minor females, including a six-year-old child, in Worcester, MA. The abuse occurred in 2023 and 2024, and Merced was arrested in September 2024. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography in July 2025.
Merced’s sentence will run consecutive to his state prison sentence of 25-30 years for 10 counts of aggravated rape of a child. The investigation revealed that Merced had been producing videos of the minors’ sexual abuse and had hundreds of photos and videos of child sex abuse material.
The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and Worcester Police Department worked together to apprehend and prosecute Merced.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and other law enforcement officials announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto prosecuted the case.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: Massachusetts
- Location: MA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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