Richard Jay Ais Solang, a 46-year-old from Dededo, Guam, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor. The U.S. District Court of Guam issued the sentence, mandating five years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory assessment fee. Solang is also required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act in all jurisdictions where he resides, works, or attends school.
On May 2, 2024, Solang began communications with an undercover agent on the social media application Grindr, using the alias “AAFB Throater 99.” By May 9, 2024, he believed the undercover operative was a 13-year-old male, to whom he described a prior encounter with a minor. Solang traveled to Andersen Air Force Base intending to perform sexual acts and was detained at a pre-arranged location by special agents from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. He later confessed during an interview conducted by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.
Prior to his arrest, Solang was an Air Force Reservist and a civilian employee at Andersen Air Force Base. He was also employed with the Mayor’s Council of Guam.
“‘Our efforts to combat child predators will not stop,’ stated United States Attorney Anderson. ‘The welfare of our children remains a cornerstone of community safety. This case serves as a reminder to all parents and guardians to be alert for online threats to their families. I encourage them to promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.’”
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas added, “‘The sentencing of former Air Force reservist Mr. Solang for attempted sexual misconduct with a minor underscores HSI’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable of our community. HSI has zero tolerance for the abuse of minors and will spare no effort in securing justice for these most heinous crimes.’”
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Service, Detachment 602. Devarup Rastogi, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam, prosecuted the case, which was part of Project Safe Childhood. This initiative, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, focuses on combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by mobilizing federal, state, and local resources.
