SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– Today, United States Magistrate Judge Marcos López authorized a criminal complaint against Kevin Hassan Prósperes-Sosa, charging him for cyberstalking and threatening interstate communications, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, 2261A(2), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(c), announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) led the investigation with the assistance of the FBI and Puerto Rico Police Department.

According to the information contained in a criminal complaint, on or about January 13, 2019, an adult female’s (AF #1) 17-year-old minor daughter was grabbed by the arm by Prósperes-Sosa, while she was walking on the street on the way home from buying school supplies. The minor ran to her house, where the defendant followed her and observed as she entered the house.

On or about January 15, 2019, AF #1 presented a formal police complaint against Prósperes-Sosa, and AF #1 was subpoenaed for February 27, 2019 to be interviewed. On January 16 and 17, 2019, AF #1 observed Prósperes-Sosa standing in front of her house staring at her residence. As a result of this, AF #1 obtained a temporary restraining order from the Municipal Court of Ciales on January 24, 2019.

On February 24, 2019, AF #1 received several simultaneous messages. When she went over to her phone, she saw a Facebook friend invite from a “Kevin Prosperes,” and several Facebook Messenger messages from the same person in Spanish. A preliminary translation of this Facebook message is: “Hello, I sent you a Request fucking Bitch, you think that you know Bitch, that you reported me, but I swear to you that I am going to kill you and I am going to take your daughters and I am going to rape them, because nobody fucks with me, piece of Asshole, when I take them, specially the one with the blue hair, it’s going to be a pity, I am going to rape them until I can’t any longer and I am going to make them disappear.”

The messages were followed by a picture of Prósperes-Sosa’s full naked body in front of a mirror. After the photo, the defendant continued writing “This is what I am going to stick to your daughter, my dick, but first I will kill you because nobody fucks with me, who do you think you are Bitch”.

During this same period, on February 2, 2019, a 14-year-old female minor (FM#1) received several text messages from the same number, stating in part: I want your ass…I know where you study…I will eat your ass…I know why…call…let’s fuck, Joel.

“The threats conveyed in Prósperes-Sosa’s internet and electronic messages caused these victims substantial harm and anguish,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Through the tireless work of investigators, over the last 24 hours we have been able to identify and contact several victims of this man’s cyberstalking. This investigation is ongoing, and federal authorities will continue to prosecute those who use social media to threaten innocent victims with violent acts.”

“Victimizing someone, particularly a child, from one’s computer or smartphone may seem easy and low-risk,” said Ivan J. Arvelo, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan.  “But my office will do everything in our power to raise the cost to those who engage in such despicable behavior. I cannot imagine the anguish suffered by those affected in this case but, at least, the prompt and decisive action of our agents have brought them some peace of mind knowing the perpetrator will behind bars for a long time.”

Special Assistant United States Attorney Cristina Caraballo and Deputy Chief of the Immigration, Cybercrimes, and Child Exploitation Unit, Nicholas Cannon, are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted, Prósperes-Sosa faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years for each count, a term of supervised release of up to three years, and a fine of up to $250,000.

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