Individual Arrested for Child Exploitation and Weapons Charges

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On March 25, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Rafael Ángel Méndez-Nieves, a 51-year-old man from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, for child exploitation and weapons charges, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. On March 26, 2026, Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested Méndez-Nieves.

According to court documents, from on or around May 2025 to on or around March 2026, Rafael Ángel Méndez-Nieves knowingly received and distributed child exploitation material using his cellular phone. Méndez-Nieves was in possession of and transported child images of child exploitation material, including child exploitation material depicting a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age, using his cellular device. In addition to the child exploitation charges, the defendant was charged with illegally possessing a Taurus Caliber .380 Model PT738 firearm, and 13 rounds of ammunition, after he had been convicted of a crime punishable for a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to continuing our joint efforts with our state, local and federal partners to identify these offenders and ensure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I thank the dedicated HSI agents and prosecutors who investigated and charged this case for their tireless efforts to protect the most vulnerable in our community.”

“This arrest demonstrates the dedication and expertise of HSI agents and forensic analysts, whose meticulous investigative work was vital in identifying and gathering crucial evidence. Their advanced skills in digital forensics enabled us to uncover and document nearly 2,000 files of child sexual abuse material, including disturbing images and videos of minors, some as young as infants. The gravity of this case highlights the significance of our mission and our unwavering commitment to securing the evidence necessary to bring offenders to justice. We remain steadfast in our efforts to protect children and ensure those responsible are held fully accountable,” said HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emelina Agrait Barreto of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case. The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force led by HSI is in charge of the investigation.

If convicted for the charges the defendant faces the following penalties: (1) distribution/receipt of child exploitation material - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; (2) transportation of child exploitation material - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; (3) possession of child exploitation material - a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and (4) possession of a firearm by a prohibited person – a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. All charges of conviction for the child exploitation offenses are to be followed by a term of supervised release after imprisonment of no less than 5 years up to life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

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