Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Corpus Christi resident has pleaded guilty to enticing a minor, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Daniel Verduzco, 31, was discovered by authorities on January 8 to have been involved in a relationship with a 15-year-old girl since May 2024. The two exchanged over 3,700 messages containing sexually suggestive images and details of their encounters.
The conversations revealed that Verduzco and the minor met multiple times in person. Sentencing will be imposed by U.S. District Judge David Morales on August 21, where Verduzco faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, along with a potential $250,000 fine. He remains on bond until the hearing.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
For more information about PSC or internet safety education, visit DOJ’s PSC page or its resources tab.
