A man from Moundville, Alabama, was sentenced in Greenville, Mississippi, to 328 months in prison for enticing a minor. Angel Chavez-Heras, 35, solicited sexually explicit images and videos from a 14-year-old victim in the Northern District of Mississippi using various online platforms. According to court documents, he traveled more than two hours on at least two occasions to sexually assault the minor. Investigators later found evidence that Chavez-Heras had engaged in similar conduct with other minors. Authorities indicated that additional charges will be pursued in other jurisdictions.
Chief Judge Debra Brown imposed a sentence of over 27 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. After serving his sentence, Chavez-Heras will be required to register as a sex offender and pay restitution to the victim.
“This sentence is a message to anyone who would think about traveling to the Northern District of Mississippi to prey on children – you will go to prison for a very long time,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “The case began with a concerned parent making a report to the Pontotoc P.D. about and unknown person contacting a child on social media, and Deputy Chief Nathan Gregory led an investigation that began with just a social media handle and a vehicle description that he tracked to the out of state defendant and then asked for assistance from HSI…this outstanding result represents what is possible with effective state and local collaboration.”
“HSI, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us—our children. The sentencing of this serial child molester for enticing a minor is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the justice system to hold perpetrators accountable,” said ICE HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune. “This case underscores the importance of vigilance, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety and security of every child in our nation.”
Pontotoc Police Chief Bob Poe stated, “This department will do everything in our power to protect our kids from those who would abuse or exploit them, and I am proud that we were able to take a case without much to go on at first, and with the help of the Moundville P.D. and the Department of Homeland Security make sure that a serial child predator is behind bars where he belongs.”
The investigation was conducted by agents from both federal agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and local authorities including Pontotoc Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker S. King prosecuted this case under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative aimed at fighting child sexual exploitation through coordination between federal prosecutors like those at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS (Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section). The program works across agencies nationwide both online and offline; further information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
