A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico has indicted Julio Figueroa-Álvarez, a 32-year-old resident of Toa Baja, on charges related to sex trafficking of children and coercion and enticement of a minor. The indictment was returned on September 10, 2025, and Figueroa-Álvarez was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents.
According to court documents, between December 2024 and February 2025, Figueroa-Álvarez allegedly recruited, transported, and maintained a 13-year-old male minor for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts. He is also accused of using electronic communication methods such as cellular phones and social media to persuade or coerce the minor into prostitution or sexual activity.
W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, stated: “Predators who target and coerce the vulnerable in our jurisdiction will face appropriately serious sanctions under federal law. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to seek justice to vindicate the rights of human trafficking victims. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting victims and ensuring that those responsible for such vicious crimes face the full weight of the law.”
Rebecca González-Ramos, HSI San Juan’s Special Agent in Charge, commented: “This individual, a registered sex offender, was arrested in 2014 on charges of sexual exploitation of minors and convicted in 2016 to serve a ten-year sentence. HSI is now arresting him for the second time in less than ten years following his conviction. Child predators remain determined to exploit minors, but we are equally determined to stop them and bring them to justice,” she said. “We urge the community to take action before law enforcement becomes involved. Protecting our children requires vigilance and cooperation. Be alert and proactive; engaging in sexual acts with a minor is illegal, and when such heinous acts are committed in exchange for something of value, it constitutes a federal crime. Sex trafficking is real; it’s happening in our island too often. HSI is determined to hold accountable those who believe they can operate above the law; we will arrest them as many times as necessary. Help us keep our children safe and protected.”
If convicted on these charges, Figueroa-Álvarez faces mandatory minimum prison sentences ranging from 10 years up to life for coercion and enticement of a minor, and from 15 years up to life for sex trafficking of a child. Any conviction would be followed by supervised release lasting at least five years up to life. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to statutory guidelines.
The investigation is being led by HSI San Juan with support from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez Lora from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative started in May 2006—to address child sexual exploitation by coordinating resources across agencies at all levels. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
Authorities remind that an indictment represents only an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
For further details about efforts against child exploitation or reporting suspicious activity, visit Know2Protect.gov or contact HSI San Juan at 787-729-6969 or IntelHSISanJuan@hsi.dhs.gov.
