Illegal Alien Indicted for Attempted Coercion of a Minor for Sex and Illegal Re-entry after Deportation

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – An illegal alien from Guatemala has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and illegal reentry of a removed alien, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

The two-count Indictment named Horacio Miranda-Mejia, 26, of Guatemala as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, from on or about June 22, 2021, until on or about June 25, 2021, Miranda-Mejia used cellular telephone networks and the internet to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce an individual who had not attained the age of 18, to engage in unlawful sexual activity. In addition, on June 25, 2021, Miranda-Mejia, an alien, was unlawfully present in the United States after having been previously deported.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, supervised release for any term of years not less than five or a combination. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin J. Risacher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.