A Texan has pleaded guilty to attempted online sexual exploitation of a Maine child.
Juan Jose Torres, 26, entered his plea Thursday at U.S. District Court in Portland, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Torres found the 13-year-old on Snapchat and sent the child a friend request. They also communicated on Instagram and by text, phone and FaceTime, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
In December 2021, Torres began coercing and enticing the child to send him sexually explicit images and videos. The U.S. attorney’s office said that Torres sent the child sexually explicit photos of himself despite knowing the victim was 13 years old.
When the child didn’t comply, Torres became angry or threatened to harm himself.
This went on until the child’s father became aware of “disturbing” Instagram messages from Torres to his child and alerted police, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Police later found numerous sexually explicit images and videos on Torres’ phone in Texas.
Torres faces between 10 years and life in prison and a fine up to $250,000, as well as five years of supervised release.
A judge will determine his sentence at a later date.
