The FBI arrested two men on April 14 in Puerto Rico on federal charges related to child exploitation, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
The cases highlight ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat crimes against children and protect public safety. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico supports public safety by handling federal crimes including civil rights violations, according to the official website.
Elid Jesuel Pizarro-Morales, age 22 from Carolina, was indicted by a federal grand jury with six counts involving sexual exploitation of children and possession of child exploitation material. Court documents state that Pizarro-Morales used an internet-based social application account to communicate with male minors and solicited them for sexually explicit images and videos. The indictment alleges that he induced four male minors—two aged 14, one aged 12, and one aged 13—to engage in sexually explicit conduct in November 2025 to produce child pornography. From August 2023 through February 2026, he allegedly possessed images of child pornography using an Apple iPad.
In a separate case, Miguel Ángel Marquez-Rosario, age 43 from San Juan, was also arrested following his indictment for transportation and possession of child exploitation material between February and March 2026. Both men face significant prison sentences if convicted; Pizarro-Morales could receive up to thirty years while Marquez-Rosario faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to twenty years.
“There’s no greater priority than safeguarding our children from those who seek to exploit or harm them,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to continuing our joint efforts with our state, local, and federal partners to locate these offenders and ensure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Crimes against children are among the most serious violations we investigate,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “The consumption of child sexual abuse material feeds a despicable industry that exploits innocent children. Every child deserves safety, and we won’t rest until every offender faces the full weight of federal law.”
AUSA Emelina M. Agrait-Barreto is prosecuting both cases as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating online sexual exploitation—and encourages those seeking more information about this program or reporting mechanisms offered by their office promoting public safety can visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Muldrow held the position as United States Attorney serving all areas within Puerto Rico's district as part of broader enforcement efforts addressing crimes such as public corruption or drug trafficking according to information available through their official website (https://www.justice.gov/usao-pr). All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
