Child predator in Taylorsville gets 30-year sentence after pretending to be a minor, extorting victim for sexual images, videos

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) — A Taylorsville man has been given a 30-year prison sentence after pretending to be a minor female and convincing a 14-year-old to send sexually explicit photos and videos, which he then used to extort the victim for more explicit material, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah.

Carlos Arturo Aparicio Hernandez, 40, also known as Raiza Daniela Yasira Aparicio Hernandez, of Taylorsville, Utah, was sentenced to 30 years in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release for his crimes against children.

Hernandez engaged in sexual conduct with a minor that he met on Facebook while pretending to be a minor female. The activity began on April 29, 2022, when Hernandez used his iPhone and iPad to communicate with a 14-year-old on Facebook, according to court documents and admissions.

Over months of communication, Hernandez reportedly convinced the teen to send him explicit photos and videos, which he later used to force the victim to send more explicit images and videos. Additionally, on two occasions, he arranged to meet the 14-year-old and engaged in illegal sexual activity, producing images of the illegal sexual encounters and storing them on his devices.

Hernandez reportedly also had sexually explicit photographs of other minors on his devices.

Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah said Hernandez’s sentence is a “stern reminder” that they will track down and prosecute child predators. West Valley City Police Chief Colleen Jacobs also said the sentence sends a “clear message” to anyone who uses social media to prey on children.

“This predator’s actions were deliberate, manipulative, and devastating,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The FBI will continue to stand with our law enforcement partners to protect children, safeguard our communities, and ensure predators face the strongest consequences possible.”

The case was investigated jointly by the West Valley City Police Department and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.

This case was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.