FBI Arrests Heber Man for Enticement of a Minor

Daphne Hearn, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge (SAC), San Diego Field Office, announces the arrest of Manuel Gonzales, age 28, of Heber, California. Gonzalez was arrested pursuant to a federal arrest warrant charging him with violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422 (b), enticement of a minor.

Gonzales was arrested on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at approximately 8:00 a.m. at his Heber, California residence without incident. Gonzales was arrested by agents from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigation (HSI). Following his arrest, Gonzales was booked into the Imperial County Jail.

The charges in this matter emanate from an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Imperial County Resident Agency, Imperial County, California, with assistance from HSI.

According to the complaint filed in this matter with the United States District Court, Southern District of California, case number 13MJ8185, in November 2012 and December 2012, Gonzales engaged in unlawful sexual activity with a minor victim. Gonzalez facilitated contact with the victim via cell phone text messages.

On Thursday, March 14, 2013, Gonzales had his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter C. Lewis. Following the hearing, Gonzales was returned to the custody of the Imperial County Jail with his next hearing date scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2013.

This investigation was conducted under the FBI’s Innocent Images National Initiative (IINI). The mission of the IINI is to reduce the vulnerability of children to acts of sexual exploitation and abuse that are facilitated through the use of computers; to identify and rescue child victims; to investigate and prosecute sexual predators who use the Internet and other online services to sexually exploit children for personal or financial gain; and to strengthen the capabilities of law enforcement to protect children.

Since its inception, the IINI program has recorded the following statistical accomplishments:

• Approximate number of informations and indictments: over 10,000
• Approximate number of arrests: over 11,000
• Approximate number of convictions: 11,400

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, El Centro Office. Anyone interested in providing information concerning this case should contact the FBI at telephone number (760) 355-0397 or (858) 565-1255.

A complaint itself is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.