Texan pleads guilty to sexually exploiting 13-year-old Maine child online

A Texan man has pleaded guilty to attempted online sexual abuse of a Maine child.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, 26-year-old Juan Jose Torres entered his plea on Thursday in the US District Court in Portland.

Torres found the 13-year-old on Snapchat and sent him a friend request. They also communicated on Instagram and via text, phone and FaceTime, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

In December 2021, Torres began coercing and seducing the child into sending him sexually explicit images and videos. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Torres sent the child sexually explicit photos of himself despite knowing the victim was 13 years old.

When the child disobeyed, Torres became angry or threatened to hurt himself.

This continued until the child’s father became aware of “disturbing” Instagram messages from Torres to his child and alerted police, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Police later found numerous sexually explicit images and videos on Torres’ phone in Texas.

Torres faces a prison sentence of between ten and life, a fine of up to $250,000 and five years’ probation.

A judge will decide on his sentence at a later date.

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