A 32-year-old man, Daniel Lara-Salazar, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of child sexual exploitation while serving in the U.S. military. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, along with officials from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office.
According to court documents, Lara-Salazar was stationed in Pallyup, Washington when he coerced a minor female living in Maryland to engage in sexually explicit conduct. From June through July 2024, he produced and caused the production of sexually explicit images and videos involving the minor.
Lara-Salazar used Snapchat to contact the victim beginning in June 2024 and demanded she send him explicit images and videos. Snapchat's feature that causes messages to disappear meant some images were not available during law enforcement review of the account.
Investigators also found that Lara-Salazar communicated with three other minor females who lived in Texas and other locations, coercing them as well into sending explicit material.
The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at fighting child sexual exploitation by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about this initiative is available at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Lara-Salazar faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years for sexual exploitation of a child. He may also be subject to lifetime supervised release and registration as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office for their investigative work. “U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.” She also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joyce R. King for prosecuting the case.
Further details on resources provided by the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
