Arecibo Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity
Willie Torres-Gerena, 60, of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty on September 8, 2026, to transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
3 reports on this incident · first at Sep 8, 2026, 11:12 a.m. ET
This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.
We last searched for new coverage of this at Sep 8, 2026, 11:09 a.m. ET — checked 2h ago.
Earlier reports
Sep 8, 2026, 11:22 a.m. ET
Arecibo Man Convicted of Transporting Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 8, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico announced that a federal jury had found Willie Torres-Gerena, 60, of Arecibo, guilty of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The verdict was reached on September 3, 2026, after a four-day trial before Senior Judge Francisco A. Besosa.
Torres-Gerena, a former boxing coach, was arrested by FBI Special Agents on January 25, 2024, for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a 16-year-old female minor. Evidence presented at trial showed that the defendant, who was a trusted father figure to the victim, invited her to lunch and instead transported her to a motel and attempted to rape her.
Torres-Gerena faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life in prison, followed by a supervised release term of five years up to life. Sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2026, at 9:00 am. He was ordered detained in custody of the Bureau of Prisons pending sentencing.
The case was investigated by the FBI with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daynelle Álvarez-Lora and Fabiola Rivera-Laboy. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Sep 8, 2026, 11:12 a.m. ETFirst report
Arecibo Man Convicted of Transporting Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 8, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico announced that a federal jury had found Willie Torres-Gerena, 60, of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, guilty of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The verdict followed a four-day trial before U.S. District Court Senior Judge Francisco A. Besosa.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI Special Agents arrested Torres-Gerena on January 25, 2024, for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a 16-year-old female minor. Evidence and witness testimony presented during trial revealed that the defendant, who was a trusted father figure for the victim, invited her to lunch and instead transported her to a motel and attempted to rape her.
Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez Carbó said, “These cases are particularly sensitive and require expertise, patience, understanding, and compassion for the victim. This verdict sends a clear message that those who exploit minors or attempt to do so will be held fully accountable and face significant consequences for their crimes.” Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, added, “Today’s verdict reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. Thanks to the courage of the victim and the dedicated work of our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, justice was served.”
Torres-Gerena faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life in prison, followed by a supervised release term of five years up to life. Sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2026, at 9:00 am. He was ordered detained in custody of the Bureau of Prisons pending sentencing. The FBI investigated the case with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daynelle Álvarez-Lora and Fabiola Rivera-Laboy from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit prosecuted the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.
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- Version 18 Sept 2026, 15:22current
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- Version 18 Sept 2026, 15:12current
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- Version 18 Sept 2026, 15:52current
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