ICE nabs Puerto Rican man for possession and production of child porn

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico. - A 58-year-old man of Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, was arrested Monday by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for child pornography possession and production.

Ruben A. Santos-Rodriguez was arrested at his residence in Condominio El Monte for allegedly sending inappropriate messages via e-mail and Facebook to a 13-year-old female minor. Santos-Rodriguez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, if found guilty.

He was charged with possession and production of child pornography after a forensic analysis of a computer that he had voluntarily surrendered to ICE HSI special agents revealed images depicting child pornography involving a minor.

"This arrest is proof of the harsh consequences awaiting those who sexually exploit innocent children," said Roberto Escobar Vargas, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in San Juan. "HSI is committed to protecting our communities from those who prey on our children and will not rest until they are brought to justice."

This case was investigated under Operation Predator, an ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marshal Morgan.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators by calling at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. For more information, visit www.ice.gov.