Assistant Church Pastor Arrested For Sexually Enticing A Minor

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — On Friday evening, November 8, 2013, Dolores Pagàn-Lozada, 54, was arrested at his place of residence after an HSI investigation, which stemmed from a referral by the Puerto Rico Police Department, revealed that he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a 16-year-old female minor identified as Jane Doe, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.

A criminal complaint was authorized by US Magistrate Judge Sylvia Carreño-Coll charging Pagàn-Lozada sexually enticing a minor. According to the criminal complaint, HSI special agents reviewed an Oct. 9 Facebook chat between Pagàn-Lozada and the minor. During the conversation, Pagàn-Lozada wrote that he was out of place for touching Jane Doe but that he wanted to touch her more. He added that he was excited when Jane Doe arrived to his residence where he kissed and touched her. The complaint also alleges that Pagàn-Lozada constantly reminded Jane Doe to delete their conversations and to be smart.

Pagàn-Lozada had his initial hearing before magistrate judge Camille Vélez-Rivé today and was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo awaiting the outcome of his case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mariana Bauzà.

“The USAO for the District of Puerto Rico is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who feel they can take advantage of their positions of trust and abuse our children,” said United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.

“Sexually exploiting children is despicable,” said Ángel M. Meléndez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “ICE HSI will go the extra mile to catch those individuals who prey on these innocent victims. Identifying and investigating those who victimize children, especially those who hold positions of public trust as in the case of Mr. Pagàn-Lozada, is one of the most important responsibilities ICE HSI has.”

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423 or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-843-5678.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.