Unauthorized Mexican immigrant gets 8-year prison sentence for raping 15-year-old Paterson girl
By Jonathan Greene
Published: July 14, 2021
An unauthorized Mexican immigrant has been sentenced to 95 months or nearly eight years in federal prison for coercing and enticing a 15-year-old Paterson girl.
Juan Carlos Morales-Pedraza, 35, of Paterson, previously pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor and illegally re-entering the United States after having previously been deported, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig’s Office.
Morales-Pedraza was sentenced on Tuesday. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Morales-Pedraza approached the 15-year-old girl in Passaic County on April 13, 2019. Two days later he engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim and left New Jersey en route to Illinois. He admitted he planned to engage in sexual conduct with the victim in Illinois.
Morales-Pedraza was arrested in Ohio by state troopers.