Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) troopers have arrested and charged Florida resident Alvaro Sandoval with multiple counts of sextortion of minors and other related offenses against multiple victims from Franklin County. State troopers posted to the Chambersburg barracks have been actively investigating allegations of the sexual exploitation of minors. The investigation was led by the PSP's Criminal Investigative Unit (CIU), which uncovered five separate victims of sextortion across Franklin County.

If you or anyone you know is facing charges for sextortion in Pennsylvania, call the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online. You have the right to counsel, and you deserve a vigorous defense of your reputation and freedom. Don't try to fight the criminal justice system by yourself. When the quality of your representation matters, the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm is there!

Franklin County Sextortion Suspect had Nationwide Operation

During their investigation, the PSP uncovered Sandoval was operating a nationwide scheme involving sextortion and the exploitation of minors from his base of operations in Miami. According to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who assisted PSP in identifying the suspect, Sandoval is an Ecuadorian national.

He was arrested after troopers with PSP Chambersburg obtained a warrant and went to Miami to make the arrest. They also executed a search warrant at Sandoval's home. During this search, PSP uncovered even more potentially incriminating evidence against Sandoval on several electronic devices, which were all seized and cataloged.

Sextortion is Becoming an Increasingly Prevalent Issue

Sextortion is the act of receiving sexually explicit images and then using those images to blackmail the sender. Although anyone can become a victim of sextortion, this crime is often perpetrated against minors and is becoming prevalent online. Extortionists typically use internet-based social media networks to strike up friendships with their potential victims. In many cases, the perpetrator poses as a minor to gain the victims' trust.

Eventually, the extortionist convinces the victim to create and send a sexually explicit video or picture of themselves. Once in receipt of the first image, the extortionist demands the victim continue creating and sending sexually explicit material. Some extortionists even demand monetary compensation along with the continued transmission of sexual images. If the victim refuses, the extortionist will threaten to publish the material already in their possession.

Franklin County Suspect Facing Lengthy Prison Sentence and Deportation

Sandoval faces numerous criminal charges, including child pornography, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, and dissemination of sexual material of a minor. If convicted, Sandoval faces a lengthy prison term and deportation to his native Ecuador after he completes his prison sentence.

What to Do if You are Arrested on Sextortion Charges

Sextortion cases evoke strong emotions and often have very sympathetic victims. Because sextortion is a sex-based offense, Pennsylvania's criminal justice system often seeks to punish offenders harshly. However, that zeal to prosecute and protect the public does not mean people charged with sextortion forfeit their right to due process. Having experienced and dedicated legal counsel is one of the best defenses against sextortion charges in Pennsylvania.

If you're charged with sextortion, two things are important to remember. One, you have the right to remain silent. Two, you have the right to an attorney. Regardless of the allegations, or how much evidence the prosecution says they have, the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm is here to stand up for your rights.

However, your rights are useless if you do not invoke them. Sextortion cases often mushroom from one arrest to include other charges like child pornography. That's why it's probably not a good idea to try and talk your way out of a sextortion case by yourself. If you're arrested, or suspected, in a Pennsylvania sextortion case, call the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today.