GREENBELT, Md. — A federal grand jury has indicted Juan Carlos Puente, 46, of Clinton, Maryland, on seven counts of child exploitation offenses, including production of child pornography and engaging in illicit sexual conduct abroad. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office.
Details of the Indictment
According to court documents, between October 1, 2021, and April 22, 2022, Puente allegedly enticed a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and create child pornography. The indictment also states that Puente traveled outside the United States to engage in illicit sexual conduct with the minor victim. On January 9, 2024, he was reportedly in possession of sexually explicit images involving a prepubescent minor and a child under the age of 12.
The charges include:
- Two counts of production of child pornography.
- One count of attempted production of child pornography.
- One count of coercion and enticement of a minor.
- One count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
- One count of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign location.
- One count of possession of child pornography.
Potential Sentences
If convicted, Puente faces significant penalties:
- A mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 90 years in federal prison for the production and attempted production of child pornography.
- A mandatory minimum of 10 years to life for coercion and enticement of a minor.
- Up to 30 years each for traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and engaging in such conduct abroad.
- Up to 20 years for possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors and minors under 12.
Federal sentences are determined by U.S. District Court judges, who consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Presumption of Innocence
An indictment is not a conviction. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Project Safe Childhood
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child exploitation and abuse. Since its launch in 2006, the program has worked to identify, apprehend, and prosecute offenders while rescuing and supporting victims.
For more information on Project Safe Childhood and internet safety resources, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reporting Information
The FBI encourages anyone with information related to this case to contact the Baltimore Field Office at (410) 265-8080.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI’s investigative efforts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy and Trial Attorney Jessica L. Urban from the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section are prosecuting the case.
