Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Rogelio Vega pleaded guilty to three counts of enticing a child to engage in sexual conduct. Today’s proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara. When sentenced, Vega faces a statutory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty plea.
“The defendant’s use of the internet, including apps targeted to children, to sexually exploit minors is reprehensible,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Protecting children from online predators will always be a priority of this office.”
“These were not just poor decisions on Mr. Vega’s part, they were calculated, despicable wrongs,” stated NYPD Commissioner Sewell. “Today’s guilty plea holds him responsible for his actions and prevents him from causing any additional harm. And he will forever be branded as a predator who used the internet to prey on underage victims for his own sexual gratification.”
As set forth in court filings, between approximately 2015 and January 2021, the defendant used the Kik Internet messaging application, which is marketed to teens, and the Grindr application, which is marketed to the LGBTQ population, to express his interest in “young guys” and coerce and entice three male victims between the ages of 14 and 16 to meet him for sexual acts. A review of messages found on the defendant’s cell phones revealed a series of messages in which the victims identified themselves as underage and the defendant arranged to meet them for sexual encounters in his car or at motels.
Department of Justice Trial Attorney Patrick J. Campbell is in charge of the prosecution.