Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Exploiting Minors via Social Media

ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man pleaded guilty to federal charges involving the exploitation of minors using social media platforms.

According to court records, between June 2021 and March 2023, Adrian Puentes, 25, used Instagram and Snapchat to coerce and entice two minors under the age of 18 to engage in illegal sexual activity. Puentes admitted that he threatened one victim, demanding sexually explicit photographs and stating he would share them publicly if she did not comply. He used Snapchat to persuade the second victim to meet in person for sexual activity, including sending her money for transportation. Puentes knew both victims were minors at the time of the offenses.

Puentes pleaded guilty to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor. At sentencing, Puentes faces not less than 10 years and up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, Puentes will be subject to not less than five years and up to life of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.