A Jamaica Plain man who allegedly solicited a minor on TikTok while on state probation was charged again this week with child exploitation.
Hector Acevedo, 31, of Jamaica Plain, who is already on probation following a state conviction for child exploitation offenses–including trafficking, was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children.
On Oct. 20, 2021, authorities arrested Acevedo on the new charges and was in custody pending an indictment on the new charges. He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the charging documents, Acevedo is a Level 3 registered sex offender. Acevedo was previously convicted in Suffolk County Superior Court on multiple child and sexual exploitation offenses including trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, extortion by threat of injury, posing or exhibiting a child in state of nudity or sexual conduct, dissemination of matter harmful to minors, dissemination of child pornography and purchase or possession of child pornography. On Feb. 13, 2018, Acevedo was sentenced to five-to-seven years in state prison and three years of probation.
While on state probation, Acevedo allegedly solicited a minor via TikTok and coerced the victim to engage in sexual conduct over video chat.
The charges of sexual exploitation of children provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.