NEED TO KNOW
- Lizamarie Rivera-García, 42, is facing multiple charges after being indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly sex trafficking two minors, ages 15 and 17
- She is facing charges of sex trafficking, transporting and coercion involving the 15-year-old and sex trafficking of the 17-year-old
- The religion teacher is facing a minimum sentence of 50 years if convicted on all four counts
A school teacher in Puerto Rico is in custody after being accused of sex trafficking two children.
Lizamarie Rivera-García, 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges involving two minor boys, ages 15 and 17, on July 7.
The religion teacher was then arrested that very same day by federal agents, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.
She “knowingly and willfully recruited, enticed, transported, and maintained” the 15-year-old alleged victim in order “to engage in commercial sex act,” according to a copy of the indictment obtained by PEOPLE.
Those actions allegedly occurred between December 2023 and October 2024.
The indictment also accuses Rivera-Garcia of: “knowingly employing, using, persuading, inducing, enticing, and coercing the same 15-year-old male minor to engage in sexual activity; transporting the male victim … with intent that the male individual engage in any sexual activity; and using internet instant messaging services and social media, to knowingly transfer and attempt to transfer obscene matter.”
At the same time, from December 2023 to November 2024, Rivera-Garcia also allegedly “knowingly and willfully recruited, enticed, transported, and maintained” the other minor victim in the case “to engage in commercial sex acts.”
If convicted on all four charges, Rivera-Garcia faces a minimum sentence of 50 years — 15 on each of the sex trafficking charges and 10 each on the counts of transportation and coercion.
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“A female religion teacher that had the responsibility to guiding our children about principles and beliefs was actually developing a plan to sexually assault them,” said Rebecca C. Gonzalez-Ramos, the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Juan.
Her agency headed up the investigation into Rivera-Garcia, which will now be prosecuted by an assistant attorney with the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit.
“These charges reflect the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct inflicted on her victims,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow. “The sexual exploitation of children robs children of their freedom, dignity and sense of security. Such conduct is unacceptable in our society.”
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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