A Hidalgo man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for distributing videos of sexual activity to a minor, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Rogelio Pruneda III, 29, from the Rio Grande Valley, pleaded guilty on June 2. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Pruneda to serve 108 months in prison. During the sentencing hearing, the court heard testimony from the victim’s parent requesting accountability and appropriate treatment for Pruneda. The court also learned that Pruneda had engaged in similar conduct with a minor relative and used that relationship to recruit the victim by exchanging goods for sex. The judge found that Pruneda attempted to obstruct justice by trying to contact witnesses during the investigation and noted the age difference between him and the victim.
Pruneda was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution and will be subject to five years of supervised release after his prison term. He must comply with requirements limiting his access to children and the internet and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Investigators found that Pruneda used a minor relative to connect with the female victim, telling her he would treat her like a “sugar daddy.” From July through October 2022, he contacted her via Facebook Messenger, offering money and THC vape cartridges in exchange for sexual acts, which he recorded and later sent two videos back to her.
The relationship was discovered when the victim’s parent reported it to authorities. The minor confirmed that the videos depicted sex acts between herself and Pruneda in his vehicle.
“Here, Pruneda sought out a victim online and plied her with offers of money and other goods. This methodical plan demonstrates just how dangerous and calculating he is,” said Ganjei. “The Southern District of Texas will do whatever it takes to protect the innocence of the children of our community and punish—to the maximum extent the law allows—those who take that innocence away.”
Pruneda remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The FBI conducted the investigation with help from Hidalgo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation by coordinating federal, state, and local resources for prosecution and victim identification efforts. More information about PSC can be found on DOJ’s PSC page, including resources about internet safety education.
