Carlos Arturo Aparicio Hernandez, also known as Raiza Daniela Yasira Aparicio Hernandez, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. The 40-year-old Taylorsville resident used Facebook to pose as a minor female and communicated with a 14-year-old victim, convincing the child to send sexually explicit photos. He later extorted additional images and videos from the victim and arranged meetings that led to illegal sexual activity, which he documented and stored on his electronic devices.
U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow imposed the 360-month sentence, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. According to court documents, Aparicio Hernandez’s offenses included possession of sexually explicit photographs of other minors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti stated: “Aparicio Hernandez is a danger to the children in our communities and elsewhere. The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims-especially child victims, who are the most vulnerable among us. His 30-year sentence is a stern reminder that we will track down, arrest and prosecute child predators.”
West Valley City Police Chief Colleen Jacobs commented: “Protecting our community’s most vulnerable is our highest priority. This sentence sends a clear message: anyone who uses social media to prey on children will be found, stopped, and held accountable.”
Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI added: “This predator’s actions were deliberate, manipulative, and devastating. The FBI will continue to stand with our law enforcement partners to protect children, safeguard our communities, and ensure predators face the strongest consequences possible.”
The investigation was conducted by the West Valley City Police Department in cooperation with the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain prosecuted the case.
The prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies.
For further information about Project Safe Childhood visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
