Commitment to Protecting U.S. Persons
ERO Philadelphia’s Field Office Director, Cammilla Wamsley, emphasizes the agency’s dedication to safeguarding U.S. citizens from predators, regardless of their public persona or status. This statement follows the recent removal of Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, Felipe Rivero Blanco, due to his conviction on child sexual abuse charges.
Timeline of Conviction
In November 2021, officials lodged an immigration detainer notice of action with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, six months after Rivero Blanco’s conviction. The MLB All-Star received a prison sentence of 2-4 years in August 2021, along with two years of probation.
Charges and Evidence
Rivero Blanco was initially charged in September 2019 with unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, and indecent assault. These charges stemmed from an alleged inappropriate relationship he had with a 13-year-old who reached out to him on social media in 2017.
During the investigation, authorities discovered disturbing evidence on Rivero Blanco’s electronic devices, including seven photos and three videos exchanged between him and the underage victim. These graphic images revealed both individuals in various stages of nudity.
Alleged Exploitation and Disturbing Text Messages
According to court documents, the accused met the 13-year-old victim at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, where he took pictures with her outside the bullpen. Rivero Blanco’s arrest led to a confession where he admitted to having a sexual encounter with the girl in 2017. Prosecutors presented text messages between the two, where Rivero Blanco referred to the teenager as his “slave” and described her as being in his “possession.”
Additional Child Pornography Charges
In May 2020, Rivero Blanco faced further charges related to child pornography in Missouri. He allegedly sent explicit material to a 15-year-old Pennsylvania resident. These charges mirror similar allegations in Florida.
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