A former Corpus Christi police officer has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for enticing a minor, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Daniel Verduzco, 31, pleaded guilty on May 23. U.S. District Judge David Morales handed down the sentence of 180 months in prison, noting that Verduzco met the victim while on duty as a police officer and used his position to pursue the minor. The court considered these factors when determining the sentence.
Verduzco will be required to serve 10 years of supervised release after completing his prison term. During this period, he must comply with restrictions limiting his access to children and the internet. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. Restitution will be determined at a later date.
Authorities discovered on January 8 that Verduzco had maintained a relationship with a 15-year-old girl since May 2024. Investigators found over 3,700 messages between Verduzco and the minor, which included sexually suggestive images and detailed accounts of their encounters and plans for future sexual activity.
The investigation revealed that Verduzco and the victim met in person multiple times.
After previously being released on bond, Verduzco was taken into custody following sentencing and will remain detained until he is transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Corpus Christi Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims. More information about PSC can be found at DOJ’s PSC page (https://www.justice.gov/psc). Resources about internet safety education are available under the resources tab on that page (https://www.justice.gov/psc/resources).
"Daniel Verduzco pleaded guilty May 23."
"U.S. District Judge David Morales has now sentenced Verduzco to 180 months in federal prison. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted that Verduzco had met the victim while on duty as a police officer. The court considered Verduzco’s position and his pursuit of the minor female while on duty when determining his sentence. Verduzco will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Verduzco will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Restitution will be considered at a later date."
"On Jan. 8, authorities discovered Verduzco was having a relationship with a 15-year-old minor female dating back to May 2024. The two had exchanged more than 3,700 messages which included sexually suggestive images and detailed different times they had engaged in sexual relations and intentions for future sexual acts."
"The conversations further revealed Verduzco and the minor victim had met in person on multiple occasions."
"Previously released on bond, Verduzco was taken into custody following the sentencing today where he will remain pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future."
"Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department."
"Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page (https://www.justice.gov/psc). For more information about internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/resources."
