HSI San Juan arrests Cataño woman on child exploitation and sex trafficking charges
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau arrested Daryana González Montañez, a 30-year-old woman from Cataño, for sex trafficking of children, production of child sexual abuse material and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to court documents, from February through March 28, 2023, González Montañez, recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, advertised, maintained and patronized a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity for profit. González Montañez also employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced the same child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing and transmitting child sexual abuse material.
“We have been following the pattern of this woman for a few months now. We have implemented our victim-centered approach. Forensic interviews were performed, and data was gathered from digital equipment. All these efforts resulted in good evidence for a strong case of human trafficking in Puerto Rico,” said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos. “The victim and her family have the support they need to face this horrendous experience, and our special agents will continue this process until justice is served. We will continue to support and work with all our fellow law enforcement partners to get dangerous offenders off the streets. There will be zero tolerance for those who intend to harm our children.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez-Lora of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case. If convicted, González Montañez faces a statutory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison for sex trafficking of children; 15 to 30 years in prison for production of child sexual abuse material; and 10 years to life in prison for transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. A federal district court judge will determine her sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The defendant was transferred to the Guaynabo Metropolitan Detention Center to await further judicial proceedings.
“Human trafficking — particularly trafficking of children — is a reprehensible crime with far reaching consequences,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico W. Stephen Muldrow. “The United States attorney’s office and law enforcement agencies will continue to take full advantage of our investigative tools and prosecution powers in order to protect our children from sexual predators. We want to remind the public to report all inappropriate behavior with children to their local authorities and together, local and federal law enforcement will see that justice is carried out.”
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit HSI's iGuardians program.
To report suspicious activities, call (787) 729-6969.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
Updated: