Hidalgo man indicted for giving drugs, cash to minor for sex

A 26-year-old Hidalgo man pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to accusations that he provide cash and THC cartridges to a 16-year-old girl in exchange for sexual acts.

A federal grand jury indicted Rogelio Pruneda III on Nov. 15 on charges of sexual exploitation of children and coercion or enticement of a female.

The FBI arrested him Oct. 25.

The criminal complaint against Pruneda alleges that in July he convinced a relative, also a female minor, to recruit the 16-year-old girl by messaging her through Facebook Messenger and telling her that Pruneda would pay her like a “sugar daddy.”

That document said the 16-year-old allowed Pruneda to contact her, which is when he offered to send her money through Cash App and give her THC cartridges in exchange for sexual acts.

On July 22, authorities allege Pruneda met with the teen at a basketball court where she performed sexual acts on him in his white 2012 Chevrolet Cruze while he recorded.

The complaint also said Pruneda met with her on two other occasions at his father’s auto shop and his grandmother’s residence, where more sexual acts occurred.

It’s unclear how authorities were led to Prundea, but the 16-year-old identified the videos for investigators, provided a timeline and identified Pruneda and his vehicle, according to the complaint.

Pruneda has remained in custody since his arrest.

The order of detention said that the weight of evidence against Pruneda is strong and that if he is convicted, he faces a lengthy term of incarceration.

That document, which was signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano, also noted that there may be other minors who were assaulted.

“Defendant is alleged to have provided drugs and money to a minor in exchange for sexual intercourse,” Medrano wrote. “Government proffered that there were other minors also assaulted.”

Jury selection is scheduled for January 4.