A federal jury has found Rusbel Montoya Mandujano, 32, of Oviedo, guilty of attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced on Mar. 26. Montoya Mandujano faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for August 25.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address crimes involving the exploitation of minors online. According to testimony presented at trial, Montoya Mandujano began communicating online and via text message on June 25 with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The individual was actually an undercover team from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
After learning the supposed age of the girl, Montoya Mandujano discussed various sexual acts he wanted to commit and arranged a meeting for June 26. When he arrived at the designated location, law enforcement officers arrested him.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman is prosecuting the case while asset forfeiture proceedings are being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated federal, state, and local resources. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
