NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man has admitted to charges that he attempted to lure a minor into illicit sexual activities. Vicente Muniz, Jr, a 35-year-old Petty Officer First Class, entered a guilty plea for his efforts to manipulate, and exploit a minor through digital means.
The prosecution detailed how, on January 17, Muniz used a social media platform to reach out to someone he believed was offering his 10-year-old child for sexual encounters. Muniz had arranged to perform sexual acts with the child, revealing in his communications that he had previously planned a similar encounter with another minor who had ceased responding. His plan was thwarted when, upon attempting to meet with the child and the supposed parent, Muniz was apprehended by authorities.
Set to face sentencing on July 19, Muniz could be looking at a minimum of a decade behind bars, with the severity of the sentence reaching up to life imprisonment. Sentencing in federal cases, such as this, often falls short of the maximum penalty, influenced by the judge’s discretion, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and various statutory considerations.