Operation Predator

[Human]

October 30, 2007

 

Pensacola predator sentenced to 120 months following ICE investigation

 

 

PENSACOLA, FL - A 21-year-old predator was sentenced here late last month to serve 120 months in federal prison following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

 

Enrique De Varona was also ordered to serve 120 months of mandatory supervised release following his prison term. The honorable U.S. district judge Casey Rodgers imposed a $1,000 fine.

 

De Varona was indicted in April 2007 following a four-month ICE investigation that revealed that he possessed and engaged in the trafficking of child pornography. He subsequently pleaded guilty in May 2007.

 

"Those who engage in the possession and trafficking of child pornography should know that ICE will use all of its law enforcement tools to bring you to justice," said Robert Weber, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Tampa. "Predators beware: we will find you and put you behind bars where you belong."

 

Weber thanked the Canada Service Border Agency and the Windsor Police Department for their assistance in this case.

 

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 10,000 individuals nationwide.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.

 

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

 

 

-- ICE --