Enrique Paulo Pucha-Jimenez, a 34-year-old Ecuadorian national who most recently lived in Danbury, Connecticut, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for recording his sexual abuse of a minor. The sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport.
According to information presented in court, Pucha-Jimenez abused a minor girl on multiple occasions between November 2020 and August 2023. The victim was between approximately nine and twelve years old during the period of abuse. Pucha-Jimenez used his cellphone to take photographs and videos documenting the abuse.
On August 16, 2023, Danbury Police arrested Pucha-Jimenez on state charges related to sexual assault and risk of injury offenses. Forensic analysis of his cellphone uncovered 576 images and 36 videos depicting child sex abuse material involving the minor victim.
Pucha-Jimenez has remained detained since his arrest. He pleaded guilty in federal court on August 1, 2024, to production of child pornography. State charges against him are still pending.
After serving his prison sentence, Pucha-Jimenez will face immigration proceedings.
The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Danbury Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings prosecuted the case with help from the Office of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Danbury.
"This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation," according to the press release. "For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc."
"To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com."
