A Maryland man is facing serious charges related to child sexual exploitation and abuse. Juan Carlos Puente, 46, of Clinton, Maryland, was indicted by a federal grand jury on seven counts, including production of child pornography, enticement of a minor, and traveling abroad for illicit sexual conduct.
The indictment alleges that between October 2021 and April 2022, Puente enticed a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and produce child pornography.
He is also accused of traveling outside the United States to engage in illicit sexual conduct with the minor victim.
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Furthermore, the indictment states that in January 2024, Puente possessed sexually explicit images involving a prepubescent minor and a minor victim under 12 years of age.
If convicted on all counts, Puente could face a substantial prison sentence.
The production and attempted production of child pornography charges carry a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 90 years in federal prison. He could also face up to life in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor, and significant penalties for the other charges.
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This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project, led by the Department of Justice, works to apprehend and prosecute offenders, and to identify and rescue victims.
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