An Arizona man has been arrested by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for allegedly sexually exploiting at least one 13-year-old girl.
Alejandro Ledesma, 20, from La Paz County, Arizona, will remain in custody pending his arraignment on four counts of sexually exploiting a minor. These criminal charges resulted from an investigation by HSI Phoenix in collaboration with the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department.
“This arrest represents is one of many predators that Homeland Security Investigations targets to protect our youth from predators who sexually exploit children,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge of HSI Phoenix. “HSI routinely works with our local law enforcement partners to combat this type of crime.”
During the course of the probe, investigators examined over 20 images and videos discovered on the defendant’s electronic devices. HSI special agents have already identified one 13-year-old female victim in North Carolina. As the investigation progressed at the scene, HSI special agents also identified two other unknown young girls in images and videos participating in lewd acts. Anyone with information about Ledesma – or his internet chatroom handle “Donk_Malandrine” – is encouraged to call HSI’s toll-free tip line: 1-866-2DHS-ICE [1-866-234-7423].
“The La Paz County Sheriff’s Department was happy to work with HSI in this investigation, said William D. Risen, the La Paz County Sheriff. “Detective Johnson did a great job communicating with HSI and coordinating the local response to ensure a safe and effective arrest. We look forward to working together in the future.”
Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. If convicted of four counts of sexually exploiting a minor, Ladesma would face a mandatory minimum penalty of 40 years in state prison and a potential maximum penalty of up to 96 years.