A federal judge has sentenced a Corpus Christi, Texas man to life prison for using social media to lure young girls into sexual activity, a news release said.
“Using any type of social media to target our children is deplorable,” Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery said in a statement. “Such communication avenues can be wonderful tools to share stories and connect with people, but we must remain vigilant and cautious. This defendant abused these systems and hunted for victims who were specifically underage and local. Thankfully, he will be behind bars, but the case is a good reminder to monitor our children’s activity and to be careful about having identifiable information readily available.”
Robert Velasquez, 35, pleaded guilty in January 2020. Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack imposed the life sentence.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors presented impact statements from three victims.
"Additional information was also presented about the identification of several victims between the ages eight and 15," the news release said. "In handing down the prison term, the court noted that given the nature of the defendant’s conduct and the damage he had done to the victims and their families, she felt she had no other sentence available to her that could properly protect the community."
Investigators reviewed more than 50,000 social media chats and identified more than 10 young girls from 8 to 17 years of age abused by Velasquez.
"He had used the victims’ social media accounts to determine they were local and underage," the news release said. "He then targeted them with complimentary messages and long conversations in order to get the girls to meet for sex. In some instances, he photographed the children during their physical encounters."
