Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the arrest of RUDY MENA stemming from his possession and distribution of child pornography. MENA was arrested at his apartment in the Bronx, New York, on September 9, 2016, and was presented today before United States Magistrate Judge James L. Cott in Manhattan federal court.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Mena is charged with possessing and distributing child pornography, and in online chats with undercover agents, he allegedly boasted about molesting a young child. Thanks to the dedicated work of law enforcement, Mena is under arrest and can no longer hurt other children.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “There is nothing more disturbing than an offender raping and sexually abusing a young child. I must commend the super-human effort of investigators and prosecutors who are required to view and testify to the content of videos and photos depicting depravity well beyond anything that should exist in our society.”
According to the Complaint[1] filed today in federal court:
Starting in July 2016, an individual who was later identified as MENA communicated through an online messaging application with an undercover detective assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department-FBI (“MPD-FBI”) Child Exploitation Task Force, based in Washington, D.C. (“UC-1”). Through these exchanges, MENA, using the screen name “ragzbagz,” indicated to UC-1 that he was a 23-year-old New Yorker with access to a young child. He allegedly sent UC-1 a video purportedly depicting that young child naked, and informed UC-1 in graphic detail that he had molested the child. MENA also sent UC-1 multiple images of child pornography, including photographs of a prepubescent child’s vagina being touched and penetrated by an adult penis.
On September 9, 2016, MENA communicated online with a New York City-based undercover agent assigned to the FBI’s Crimes Against Children squad (“UC-2”). MENA informed UC-2 that MENA was primarily interested in children aged 4 through 8. MENA also sent UC-2 multiple photographs of an infant, at least one of which was taken from a media device that appeared to have been used by MENA. Later that day, the FBI arrested MENA at his residence in the Bronx, New York.
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MENA, 23, of the Bronx, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of distribution of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Any individuals who believe they have information concerning MENA that may be relevant to the investigation should contact the FBI at 1-212-384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov/.
Mr. Bharara praised the efforts of the MPD and FBI in this investigation. He added that the investigation is continuing.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Rebold is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.