Benton, Illinois - Luis Alberto Dejesus-Merced, 46, of Junction City, Kansas, was sentenced to 384
months imprisonment on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022.
According to court documents and statements presented at the hearing, Dejesus-Merced was a family
friend and the godfather of the 10-year-old victim. Dejesus-Merced sexually assaulted the victim in
Georgia and attempted to transport the child to Dejesus-Merced’s residence in Junction City, Kansas
with the intent to engage in further sex acts. However, while in route, an Illinois State Police
trooper conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle driven by Dejesus-Merced. The trooper noted that
Dejesus- Merced appeared “extremely nervous" and a record check revealed he was a registered sex
offender. Due to the trooper’s concerns related to Dejesus-Merced’s history and behavior, the
trooper conducted a further investigation. A search of Dejesus-Merced’s vehicle revealed cellphones
containing child pornography. The child also disclosed the abuse at the hands of Dejesus-Merced.
In imposing the 32-year sentence, the sentencing judge observed that “this fact situation is
probably as bad as I’ve ever seen" and told Dejesus-Merced that “you are definitely a danger to
society."
“This is truly despicable conduct," said United States Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The 32-year
sentence will provide just punishment for this defendant but cannot restore this child’s lost
innocence. We are profoundly grateful for the vigilance and professionalism exhibited by our law
enforcement partners in this case, and in particular by the Illinois State Police trooper who
conducted the traffic stop and saved this child from further abuse at the hands of this defendant."
“Due to the keen eye of our law enforcement partners and the dedication of our special agents, a
predator has now been removed from the streets where he victimized children." said Special Agent in
Charge R. Sean Fitzgerald of the Chicago Division of Homeland Security Investigations. “This is
yet another testament to the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with local and state law
enforcement agencies."
“The ISP trooper's vigilance and further investigation into this incident likely prevented further
victimization and countless other crimes all as a result of a simple traffic stop," said Illinois
State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “While human trafficking and its peripheral crimes are
often difficult to spot, ISP is motivated by arrests such as this and committed to further training
its troopers in the detection of these heinous crimes."
The Illinois State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Department conducted the investigation in this case which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney
Karelia S. Rajagopal.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
