Former Puerto Rico police officer sentenced for child exploitation following ICE San Juan investigation

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico sentenced Luis Javier Pérez-Badillo, a 50-year-old man from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, March 25 to 11 years in prison and five years of supervised release following an investigation by ICE San Juan’s Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Pérez-Badillo, a former officer with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, pleaded guilty to transportation of child pornography on Oct. 9, 2024.

From on or about Oct. 11, 2023, through Feb. 21, 2024, Pérez-Badillo used a cellular phone with internet capabilities to knowingly transport images of child pornography.

“The defendant, who was entrusted by the community to serve and protect, violated that trust by committing these crimes. As this case demonstrates, those who exploit children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who exploit minors for sexual purposes.”

"The actions of this individual are a disgrace to the amazing men and women of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. As law enforcement officers, we are entrusted with the responsibility to protect and serve, not to harm. While no sentence can ever truly undo the harm caused to the victim, it is our duty to ensure that justice is served. This 11-year sentence clearly conveys that no one, regardless of their position, is above the law. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our children," said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos.

For more information about ICE HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Project iGuardian | ICE and Know2Protect | Homeland Security, or to report suspicious activity in Puerto Rico call 787-729-6969 or the ICE tip line at 1-866-347-2423.