TUCSON, Ariz. – Juan Jose Castillo, 28, of Lubbock, Texas, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of Coercion and Enticement. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 6, 2026, before Chief United States District Court Judge Jennifer G. Zipps.
According to the plea agreement, Castillo admitted that between Feb. 2024 and Oct. 2024, he communicated with a minor victim in Arizona and enticed the victim to engage in sexual activity with him. Castillo further admitted that between Oct. 18–21, 2024, he traveled to Arizona with the intent to engage in that conduct. During the trip, Castillo engaged in sexual activity with the victim.
A conviction for Coercion and Enticement carries maximum penalties of life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and lifetime supervised release.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Homeland Security Investigations – Tucson conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Walters and Alessandra C. Bermudez, District of Arizona, Tucson, are handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-25-01804-TUC-JGZRELEASE NUMBER: 2026-147_J. Castillo# # #For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.