Girl’s Softball Coach Indicted For Transportation Of A Minor With Intent To Engage In Criminal Sexual Activity

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Dennis Cotto-Alvarado for transporting a female minor with the intent to engage criminal sexual conduct, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Cotto-Alvarado was the coach of girls’ softball team called “Las Maratonistas de Coamo.”

The FBI is in charge of the investigation with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice.

The indictment charges that from in or about June 2017 through February 2019, Cotto-Alvarado transported a 13-year-old female minor with the intent that the minor engage in unlawful sexual activity for which a person can be charged with a criminal offense under Puerto Rico law, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(a).

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina Caraballo. If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of incarceration of ten years and a possible maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment.

A criminal indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.