A man from Santa Clarita, California, has pleaded guilty to a federal child exploitation charge in Connecticut. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, Jose Nunez, 26, admitted to receiving child pornography during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven.
Authorities stated that in February 2024, Nunez began communicating with a 13-year-old girl from Connecticut through Roblox, an online gaming and chat platform. The conversation later moved to text messages where Nunez sent sexually explicit images of himself to the minor and requested similar images from her. Investigators said he received these explicit photos on his smartphone.
On August 7, 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents arrested Nunez and seized his phone. A search of the device uncovered evidence of his conversations with the victim as well as sexually explicit images involving the minor.
Nunez pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography. This offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and could result in up to 20 years behind bars. He has been detained since his arrest and no sentencing date has been set.
The investigation was conducted by HSI and the Cromwell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings is prosecuting the case with support from the Office of the State’s Attorney for Middlesex Judicial District.
The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative by the Department of Justice focused on protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. More information about this initiative can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
Reports of child exploitation can be made at www.cybertipline.com.
