SAN JUAN, P.R. – United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado-Hernández sentenced Ricardo Barrios-Calderón to 25 years in prison followed by a supervised release term of 10 years for production of child pornography, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Barrios-Calderón pleaded guilty on February 22, 2019.  

According to the statement of facts, which was part of the Plea Agreement states that on February 12, 2018, the mother of a 12-year-old female informed Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Agents that, on or about February 9, 2018, her daughter had told her that defendant Ricardo Barrios-Calderón had kissed her on the lips and had touched her breasts and vagina. The victim also told her mother that defendant Barrios-Calderón recorded her with his cellular phone while he was touching her. Barrios-Calderón is a close family member and would give the victim presents in exchange for her sexual encounters with him.

On February 12, 2018, FBI Agents executed a search warrant in defendant Barrios-Calderón’s residence and prior residence, both located in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Since defendant Barrios-Calderón was at his current residence, FBI Agents proceeded to arrest him. FBI Agents conducted a forensic examination on the defendant’s electronic equipment, which was found to contain sexually explicit videos between him and the minor, in addition to other unrelated images and videos of child pornography.

“The sexual abuse of children is repugnant, and it victimizes the most innocent and vulnerable of all,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “We must bring the full force of the law against sexual predators. We are committed to bringing the defendants in these cases to justice and protecting every child.” 

The FBI handled the investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Elba Gorbea prosecuted the case.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On February 14, 2018, federal authorities arrested Ricardo Barrios-Calderon and Alfredo Santiago-Rosario charging them with child pornography related offenses, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation that led to the arrests.

On February 14, 2018, a criminal complaint charged Ricardo Barrios-Calderon with production of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a) and (e) and with possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2).  

In an unrelated case, on February 14, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a two-count-indictment charging Alfredo Santiago-Rosario with advertising child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(d)(1)(A) and (e), and with possession of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2).

If convicted, both defendants face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a possible maximum term of imprisonment of up to 30 years.  Assistant United States Attorney Elba Gorbea is in charge of the prosecution of defendant Barrios-Calderon and Assistant United States Attorney Ginette Milanes is in charge of the prosecution of Santiago-Rosario.

The public is reminded that criminal complaints and indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt.  Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.