LAREDO, Texas - A Laredo resident has been indicted on charges related to the enticement of a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Ruben Morin, 22, of Laredo. The two-count indictment charges Morin with coercion and enticement of a minor and transfer of obscene materials to a minor.
Between Aug. 30, 2017, to Sept. 15, 2017, Morin allegedly communicated with whom he thought was a 13-year-old girl through an online messaging application and text messages. During these communications, Morin sent several pictures of his genitals, according to th charges. Morin then travelled locally to a location in Laredo for the alleged purpose of engaging in a sexual act with the girl. Upon his arrival, law enforcement took him in to custody.
If convicted of the coercion and enticement charge, Morin faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. For the transfer of obscene materials, he faces up to 10 years in prison. Both counts also carry a possible $250,000 fine, upon conviction.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Webb County Sheriff’s Department, Laredo Police Department and the United Independent School District Police.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher dos Santos, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
