Salinas Man Sentenced To Over 22 Years For Conspiracy To Commit Child Sex Trafficking, Child Enticement, And Distribution And Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

SAN JOSE – Daniel Philip Aguirre was sentenced yesterday to 270 months (22.5 years) in federal prison and ordered to pay $19,100 in restitution for child sex trafficking, child enticement, and child pornography offenses.  U.S. District Judge Beth L. Freeman handed down the sentence.

Aguirre, 33, of Salinas, pleaded guilty on Oct. 30, 2024, to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1594(c), sex trafficking of a minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a)(1), (b)(2), and (c), coercion and enticement of a minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b), distribution of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2), and possession of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B).  

According to the plea agreement, between 2014 and 2017, Aguirre used Grindr, SnapChat, Craigslist, and other websites to recruit and entice multiple adolescent boys for sexual exploitation and abuse.  In May 2014, he enticed a 14-year-old victim into illegal sexual acts with Aguirre and another man in San Jose, during which amyl nitrates, commonly known as “poppers,” were used to keep the child intoxicated.  Between April and September 2017, Aguirre sex trafficked a second 14-year-old victim while also maintaining an illegal sexual relationship with the child.  He also used the victim to create and distribute child sexual abuse materials.  Aguirre also acknowledged allegations by two other boys that Aguirre subjected them to online and in-person sexual abuse at various times from 2013 to 2015, while they were minors.  Numerous child sexual abuse materials were found on devices seized from Aguirre’s residence during a search in 2022.

“This defendant preyed on and exploited children, and subjected them to nightmare scenarios.  We are grateful for the courage shown by these victims in coming forward.  Thanks to the work of our federal and state law enforcement partners, Aguirre will spend over 20 years in federal prison for his heinous conduct,” said Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins.  

“This individual is the absolute personification of a predator and has cruelly impacted the lives of countless innocent children,”  said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.  “This sentencing is the direct result of dedicated HSI agents, in partnership with state and local law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who prioritize a victim-based approach combined with aggressive investigative work and prosecution to remove threats to the children of our community.”

At the sentencing hearing, the government and the Court commended the bravery of the victim who first reported his abuse to the Carmel-by-the Sea Police Department in 2020.  Three other victims came forward to report abuse by Aguirre after the initial criminal charges were reported.  

In addition to the prison term and restitution, Judge Freeman also sentenced the defendant to a 15-year period of supervised release, ordered the forfeiture of devices containing child sexual abuse materials that were seized from Aguirre’s residence, and imposed a $500 special assessment fee.  Aguirre was immediately remanded into custody to begin serving his sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Harris prosecuted the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur.  The prosecution is the result of a three-year investigation by HSI and the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department.