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Jose Adan Lopez-Guevara, an undocumented Honduran national, faces a minimum of 210 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting three children over nearly a decade.
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Investigators discovered hundreds of images and videos on Lopez-Guevara’s phones, with many appearing on the dark web.
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Jose Adalberto Sandoval Quinonez received a 120-month prison sentence for coercing a 12-year-old girl into sexual activity over the internet.
Two separate child exploitation cases in Maryland have resulted in severe federal sentences. Both cases highlight how predators use the internet and social media platforms to target vulnerable children.
Federal authorities are sending a clear message. Online predators will face the full weight of the law. These cases demonstrate the growing threat of internet-based child exploitation.
Homeland Security Uncovers Years of Abuse
Jose Adan Lopez-Guevara, 39, had been living illegally in Baltimore when federal agents caught up with him. Authorities say he victimized three children between 2015 and 2024. His victims ranged from 2 to 11 years old during the abuse.
The Department of Justice revealed disturbing details about the case. “Lopez-Guevara produced images and videos of himself, and the victims engaged in sexually explicit conduct, many of which were found on the dark web,” officials stated in their release.
Federal investigators opened their case against Lopez-Guevara in December 2024. They received a critical tip from Portland, Maine, that started the investigation. Homeland Security agents in Portland flagged a disturbing video circulating on the internet. The footage showed a Maryland child being sexually abused.
This discovery led investigators directly to Lopez-Guevara. They traced the content to a pair of phones connected to him. Agents obtained warrants and searched the devices. What they found was horrifying.
The phones contained hundreds of images and videos. The material showed Lopez-Guevara abusing two additional child victims. The evidence painted a picture of systematic exploitation spanning multiple years.
Lopez-Guevara now awaits his sentencing hearing scheduled for July 28. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 210 years in federal prison. The Honduran national’s illegal immigration status adds another layer to his legal troubles.
Rockville Man Gets 10 Years for Exploiting 12-Year-Old
A separate case in Rockville, Maryland, resulted in significant prison time for another predator. Jose Adalberto Sandoval Quinonez, 26, received a 120-month federal prison sentence. Anthony J. Trenga, U.S. District Judge, also ordered five years of supervised release following his incarceration.
Sandoval Quinonez previously entered a guilty plea in the United States District Court for Virginia’s Eastern District. He admitted to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
The case details reveal a calculated pattern of grooming and manipulation. Sandoval Quinonez first contacted his 12-year-old victim through Instagram. The two later moved their conversations to Google Hangouts, where the abuse escalated.
Court documents show Sandoval Quinonez spent several months in 2017 grooming his victim. He gradually persuaded and enticed the minor to engage in sex acts, including sexual intercourse. His manipulation didn’t stop there.
Sandoval Quinonez repeatedly pressured the child to produce and send sexually explicit photographs. He eventually succeeded in getting her to send him such material. He also sent the victim an obscene image of his genitals.
The 25-year-old predator used deception throughout his contact with the child. He pretended to be 16 years old to gain her trust. This age lie helped him manipulate the young victim into compliance.
Project “Safe Childhood” Leads Prosecution Efforts
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger, and Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Lechleitner announced the sentence. “This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting children from online predators,” Terwilliger emphasized in his statement.
HSI Washington, D.C., conducted the investigation with assistance from the Manassas Park Police Department. Trial Attorney Kyle P. Reynolds of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case.
Both cases fall under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006. The program brings together state, federal, as well as local resources to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
International cooperation is also crucial; the UK’s investigation into Telegram represents another front in the global fight against online child exploitation, as regulators seek to ensure that messaging platforms implement robust safety measures to protect young users.
Authorities use these combined resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet. The initiative also focuses on identifying and rescuing victims.
These convictions send a strong warning. Law enforcement agencies have the tools and determination to track down internet predators. Parents should monitor their children’s online activities closely. The internet provides predators with easy access to potential victims, but investigators are watching.
