Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on Jan. 3, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against a man who allegedly attempted to entice a minor female into performing sex acts for money. The indictment named Mario Escalante (age: 41), an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, who currently resides in Keshena on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin.
The indictment charges Escalante with Attempted Child Enticement in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). Escalante faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison; up to a $250,000 fine; and between 5 years and a lifetime of supervised release. The charge also carries a $5000 special assessment.
According to the indictment, on Nov. 14, 2017, Escalante allegedly used his phone to attempt to persuade a minor female to meet him at a location within the exterior boundaries of the Menominee Indian Reservation, where he intended to engage in sexual activity with the minor in exchange for money.
The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. ##
For additional information contact:
Acting Public Information Officer Elizabeth Makowski at 414 297-1700
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
