A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico has indicted José Amaurys Torres-Abreu, 28, of Vieques, on charges related to child exploitation. According to court documents, Torres-Abreu allegedly transported a 14-year-old girl in November 2025 with the intent that she engage in sexual activity. The indictment states that he persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced the minor to participate in sexual acts for which criminal charges could be brought.
Torres-Abreu faces one count each of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and coercion and enticement of a minor. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Giselle López-Soler for his initial court appearance. If convicted on these charges, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life imprisonment. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, stated: “There are no cases more important for the Department of Justice and the Puerto Rico U.S. Attorney’s Office than crimes against children. Those who prey on our children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” He also acknowledged law enforcement efforts: “We commend the work of the federal and state law enforcement authorities whose thorough work led to these federal charges being filed today.”
Claudia Dubravetz, Acting Special Agent in Charge at the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, commented: “The sexual exploitation of a minor is a serious federal crime that carries significant consequences. There is no gray area and no island too remote when it comes to conduct that violates the law and harms children.” She added: “The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate these offenses and work with our partners to ensure those responsible are identified, charged, and held accountable.”
The FBI is investigating this case with support from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. Assistant US Attorney Elba Gorbea from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to address child sexual exploitation online by coordinating resources among federal, state, and local agencies.
An indictment represents an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico leads efforts across San Juan and throughout Puerto Rico in enforcing federal laws through criminal prosecutions and civil litigation focused on public safety issues such as civil rights violations, public corruption, drug trafficking, as well as providing mechanisms for reporting crimes or fraud (https://www.justice.gov/usao-pr). W. Stephen Muldrow currently serves as United States Attorney overseeing these operations (https://www.justice.gov/usao-pr).
