Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
Cristian Ceja, a 28-year-old resident of Turlock, has been sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison for transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge John A. Mendez, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that between August 27, 2023, and January 3, 2024, Ceja transported a minor from the Eastern District of California to Idaho with the intention of engaging in illegal sexual conduct. The two met when Ceja was working as a delivery driver and delivered food to the minor's home. He later used her phone number to contact her on social media and began a prolonged sexual relationship while she was only 15 years old.
Ceja managed to evade detection by sneaking into the minor's bedroom undetected by her parents and recorded himself during some encounters. He also kept used condoms and feminine hygiene products as mementos.
On August 26, 2023, the minor’s mother contacted law enforcement after discovering provocative photographs in her daughter's room. To avoid being caught, Ceja fled with the minor on August 27, altering his vehicle's appearance and using false identities.
Initially hiding out in Nevada for about a week living out of his vehicle, they then moved to rural Idaho where they stayed in a small camper trailer without basic amenities for several months. The authorities were alerted when the minor reached out via social media expressing her desire to return home but unable to leave independently.
Law enforcement located them on January 3, 2024; rescuing the minor victim and arresting Ceja. This case resulted from an investigation conducted by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office alongside Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny prosecuted this case under Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal agencies along with state and local resources.
For more information regarding Project Safe Childhood or internet safety education resources visit www.usdoj.gov/psc under “resources.”
