A Florida man is facing several charges after being accused of extorting underage girls to force them into giving him explicit photos and sexual favors.
61-year-old Jose Manuel Pinto Florez lives in St. Johns, Florida.
According to reports, someone notified the authorities in June and reported that they suspected unauthorized activities were occurring on a computer network.
The police investigated the alleged network intrusion, and they reported that an underage girl was being victimized by someone later identified as Florez.
Florez reportedly made the girl believe he had access to the contents of her electronic devices. He allegedly told her that he had nude photos of her and would share them publicly if she did not send him more.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, and the U.S. Secret Service North Florida Cyber Crime Task Force worked together during the investigation of Florez.
It was reported that several young girls had been in contact with Florez and that the man used the same scam to try to extort nude photos from the alleged victims.
According to the police, at least one of the girls met Florez in person, and it is believed that he made her perform sexually by threatening to release her photos.
Florez was placed under arrest and booked into the Duval County Jail. He may face charges for suspicion of two counts of sexual battery, two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, five counts of extortion, two counts of traveling to meet a minor to do unlawful acts, and three counts of soliciting a child via computer. He is being held in lieu of a bond exceeding $4.3 million.
He is scheduled for a hearing on September 1 regarding the matter.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a sex offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.