Luis Figueroa, 67, of Washington, D.C., was convicted on charges of First- and Second-Degree Child Sexual Abuse with Aggravating Circumstances, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced on July 24. Figueroa was found guilty on July 23. Sentencing is scheduled for September 25 before Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.
Due to the aggravating circumstances involved in the conviction, Figueroa is eligible for a sentence of over 30 years imprisonment up to life imprisonment without possibility of release.
According to court documents, in 2017 the victim—who was six years old at the time—and her family were living in a basement apartment in Figueroa’s home. The defendant maintained a friendly relationship with the victim and instructed her to call him “the Cookie Monster.”
The documents state that one day while fixing a broken shower in the apartment, Figueroa called the victim into the bathroom and instructed her to shut the door behind her before proceeding to sexually assault her. Afterward, the victim felt disgusted and confused and did not disclose what happened until coming forward in 2021.
The victim was inspired to tell her mother about what occurred after seeing others share their stories online. Her mother then alerted a social worker. The case was indicted and Figueroa was arrested pursuant to a bench warrant on April 3, 2024.
Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the conviction. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Ballou and Lindsey Miller are prosecuting the matter.