San Juan charter schoolteacher arrested for child exploitation

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Raul Moises Martinez Rivera, 25, from Carolina and a teacher at a local San Juan charter school April 10 on criminal charges related to his alleged child exploitation conduct.

On April 3, a federal grand jury indicted Martinez Rivera on two counts for coercion and enticement of a minor and the transfer of obscene material to a minor.

According to court documents, from November to December 2024, Martinez Rivera used a cellular phone, as well as internet instant messaging services, to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 13-year-old female minor, to engage in sexual activity. During that time, the defendant also used the internet to knowingly transfer obscene matter to the minor.

"Protecting our children from online predators is one of our highest priorities, especially those that take advantage of their position of trust," said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge San Juan Rebecca González-Ramos. "This individual does not represent the commitment and dedication of the teachers in Puerto Rico. HSI remains vigilant to aggressively pursue those who exploit minors. We will continue to work tirelessly to safeguard our communities and hold offenders accountable."

Chief Jenifer Hernandez-Vega and Assistant United States Attorney Daynelle Alvarez Lora from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

For more information about HSI's efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit https://www.dhs.gov/k2p; and to report suspicious activities call 787-729-6969 in Puerto Rico or the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.