A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment on April 15 charging former track and field coach Miguel Ángel García-López, age 29, of Carolina, Puerto Rico, with multiple child exploitation offenses, according to an April 16 announcement by W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. García-López was previously arrested on December 12 and remains in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address crimes against children and enforce public safety through federal law enforcement actions. 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.
Court documents allege that between May and November last year, García-López induced five female minors—two aged thirteen, one aged fourteen, and two aged fifteen—to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the production of child pornography or transported them with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Authorities say he used his cellphone to record communications with the victims and requested sexually explicit images from them; he also allegedly recorded minors while engaging in sexual acts with him.
García-López faces four counts of production of child exploitation material; one count each for coercion and enticement of a minor; two counts related to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity or attempt; and one count for receipt of child exploitation material. If convicted on these charges, penalties include mandatory minimum prison terms ranging from five years up to life imprisonment depending on the offense category. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Muldrow said: "If you think someone you know might be a victim of this defendant or any other predator, please report it so the proper authorities can investigate." The U.S. Attorney's Office enforces federal laws by pursuing criminal prosecutions such as this case involving alleged child exploitation according to its official website.
The investigation is being led by FBI San Juan with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elba Gorbea from the Crimes Against Children Unit. This prosecution forms part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice aiming to combat online child sexual abuse since May 2006 (www.justice.gov/psc). The U.S. Attorney’s Office offers mechanisms for reporting crimes and fraud as part of its mission promoting public safety across all parts served within Puerto Rico according to its official website.
Muldrow held his position as United States Attorney overseeing these efforts throughout Puerto Rico where his office addresses various federal crimes including public corruption and drug trafficking according to information available on their official site.
