Waukegan, IL – A Waukegan man has been sentenced to nearly two decades in prison for sex-related crimes involving a child he met through Snapchat, underscoring the significant risks associated with social media.
Authorities report that in April 2023, 26-year-old Eduardo Torres used Snapchat to communicate with a 12-year-old before traveling to Berrien Springs, MI, to meet the child in person. After meeting, Torres allegedly filmed himself sexually assaulting the child and then transported the victim back to his home in Waukegan, crossing state lines.
Snapchat, a popular social media platform known for its disappearing messages, played a central role in this case. The platform’s privacy features can make it challenging for parents to monitor their children’s online interactions, raising concerns about its use by predators. This case has brought attention to the potential dangers of unsupervised social media use by minors.
Torres initially pled guilty to sexual exploitation of a child in December of last year. This week, he was sentenced to 210 months in prison, equivalent to nearly 18 years, followed by five years of supervised release.
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of parental vigilance in monitoring children’s online activities. Law enforcement agencies recommend that parents have open conversations with their children about the dangers of social media and encourage the use of safety settings and monitoring tools.
