Hilton Cordero-Rosario, 52, was this week sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by 15 of supervised release for possession of child pornography.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), working jointly with Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force, conducted the investigation that led to the arrest, the guilty plea and subsequent sentencing of Cordero-Rosario.
On Dec. 8, 2011, the former commissioner was arrested by HSI special agents on production and possession of child pornography charges.
According to the 21-count indictment, Cordero-Rosario had digital images and video files of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
He pleaded guilty Feb. 1 to count 21 of the indictment, possession of child pornography, by signing a plea agreement that requires a 10 year prison sentence.
“People who download and possess child pornography put our youth at risk,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “This case is particularly troubling because of the suspect’s position as someone young people look up to and respect. Those who think they can engage in these kinds of activities and escape justice by hiding in cyberspace should be forewarned that HSI is using every tool at its disposal to protect our children from those who seek to sexually exploit them.”
Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.
