The Civil Guard, in cooperation with the FBI, announced the arrest of three individuals suspected of involvement in child exploitation offenses who had fled to Spain. The operations took place in Madrid, Barcelona, and Gran Canaria, marking a coordinated effort to confront transatlantic crimes against minors.
One case centers on a 55-year-old man accused of sexually abusing and impregnating his 12-year-old stepdaughter. Investigators trace the alleged crime back to 2014, when the family lived in a single household with the mother and other relatives. DNA analysis later confirmed the biological link to the child, and authorities say the suspect fled the United States after authorities attempted an arrest in connection with the case.
Following the shift from the mainland to the Canary Islands, records show the man resided in Vecindario, Gran Canaria, before moving on to Barcelona and then the Alicante coast town of Benidorm. The case has been linked to a broader network involved in the distribution of explicit material, with the suspect identified as a key figure who allegedly facilitated the trafficking of such files abroad. He is one of several individuals connected to the same criminal circle, which drew FBI attention years prior.
According to officials, the 71-year-old detainee was part of a criminal network that the FBI began investigating in 2010 for exchanging sexually explicit multimedia files involving minors. In that year, investigators traced an IP address linked to the network to a user located near Miami. The FBI reported locating the suspect at his residence and discovering a large volume of files containing explicit content involving minors. Authorities assert that the individual claimed possession of the material for research purposes, but the case progressed to formal charges and subsequent judicial proceedings.
Despite a preliminary arrest and a court appearance, the individual was released and did not appear at the trial. Later, he fled to Honduras, where he even acquired citizenship in an attempt to block extradition. A subsequent FBI warning that the suspect had recently traveled to Spain triggered a new investigation by the Central Operations Unit of the Civil Guard. The operation ultimately led to the man’s arrest in Getafe, Madrid, where authorities say he lived a seemingly ordinary life while undercover as a local resident.
In a separate development, the latest case involves a 23-year-old man charged with threats and coercive behavior against a minor via a gaming-focused messaging platform. Prosecutors allege that the individual coerced the minor to record pornographic content, which he then sold on multiple occasions between late 2022 and early 2024. Investigators say the young man had relocated to Europe from Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States, to pursue a master’s degree in Quantum Science and Technology at a major Spanish university. This academic affiliation reportedly aided authorities in locating and apprehending him as part of a broader effort to disrupt online child exploitation networks.
The Civil Guard reports that the investigations reflect ongoing international collaboration and a commitment to prosecuting crimes against children, regardless of where suspects seek refuge. Officials emphasize that the pursuit of perpetrators continues across borders, with cross-border intelligence sharing, on-site arrests, and coordinated legal actions. The cases illustrate the challenges of monitoring digital networks that span multiple jurisdictions and the importance of rapid cooperation among national and international law enforcement agencies. The public is reminded that online platforms are used to facilitate the grooming and trafficking of minors, and vigilance by families, educators, and tech providers remains essential to safeguarding young people. The authorities reiterate that victims and witnesses should come forward to assist investigations and help prevent further harm.