Luis Rolando Rivera Cruz was sentenced on July 28, 2026, by United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado to 264 months in prison and five years of supervised release for child exploitation. Rivera Cruz was indicted on January 16, 2025, arrested on January 29, 2025, and pleaded guilty on December 16, 2025.
According to court documents, between May and July of 2024, Rivera Cruz used a cellular phone and internet instant messaging services to persuade and coerce a fourteen-year-old female minor into engaging in sexual activity. He also transferred obscene material to the minor.
“Exploiting children is a heinous crime that inflicts profound and lasting harm. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring that those who prey on minors are brought to justice. We will continue to pursue these offenders with unwavering commitment and hold them fully accountable under the law,” said Héctor Ramírez Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
“Child exploitation is not limited to producing images. This 264-month sentence reflects the severity of these crimes and sends a clear message: When a predator begins to deceive, manipulate, or entice a minor through social media or digital platforms, they are already committing an extremely serious crime. HSI San Juan remains vigilant and relentless in identifying, investigating, and bringing to justice those who seek to exploit children. Our priority is to protect minors and hold these predators accountable for their actions,” said HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case while Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez Lora from the Exploitation and Immigration Unit prosecuted it.
This case was part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online through coordination among federal prosecutors as well as state and local agencies.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico handles federal crimes including civil rights violations; enforces federal laws through criminal prosecutions; serves all parts of Puerto Rico; addresses crimes such as public corruption; offers mechanisms for reporting crimes; supports public safety efforts, all according to its official website.