Guaynabo registered sex offender arrested for receiving and possessing child exploitation materials
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On Dec. 18, 2023, HSI San Juan special agents assigned to the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested Marcelino Resto Colón, a 68-year-old man from Guaynabo, who was previously convicted for lascivious acts and is a registered sex offender in Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, from June 2022 to July 2022, Resto Colón used his computer and cellular phone to receive one or more images of child exploitation materials via the internet depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. From June 2022 to May 30, 2023, the defendant possessed one or more images and videos that contained images of child pornography. The indictment also states that prior to committing the alleged offenses, Resto Colón was convicted on or about Sept. 12, 2003, in Puerto Rico state court for abusive sexual conduct involving a minor.
“Those who engage in child exploitation and possess child sexual abuse material will be held accountable for their heinous conduct,” said United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico W. Stephen Muldrow. “I commend the prosecution team and our law enforcement partners who continue working tirelessly to ensure that these defendants are held accountable for their crimes.”
“If the allegations presented in this case are true, we are facing an individual who does not demonstrate any regret for his actions,” said HSI San Juan’s Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos. “Let this case demonstrates HSI’s commitment to thoroughly investigate these crimes and assure they are sustained in court and proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Assistant United States Attorney Ginette L. Milanes of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, defendant faces a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 40 years of imprisonment for receipt of child exploitation material; and at least 10 years and up to 20 years of imprisonment for possession of child pornography. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
