Dominican national extradited to US for child sex abuse charges

CHARLOTTE — Roberto Severino Hinojosa, a 39-year-old Dominican national, appeared in federal court on Tuesday after being extradited from the Dominican Republic to face child sexual exploitation charges. Hinojosa is accused of possessing and transporting child sexual abuse material before fleeing the United States to avoid prosecution.

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A federal grand jury in Charlotte returned a five-count indictment against Hinojosa on Feb. 22, 2017. The charges include one count of possession, one count of transportation and three counts of receipt of child sexual abuse material. At the time of the alleged offenses, which occurred between May and June 2015, Hinojosa was a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Hinojosa fled the country after being interviewed by the FBI. Law enforcement officials eventually located him in the Dominican Republic with the assistance of the FBI Law Enforcement Attaché and local Dominican authorities. He was arrested on Jan. 30 at the request of the U.S. government and extradited to the United States on Saturday.

The indictment alleges that Hinojosa engaged in the sexual exploitation of children through the possession, transportation and receipt of illicit material. According to court documents, some of the images and videos involved prepubescent minors who were under age 12.

Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced the extradition and subsequent court appearances. Ferguson stated that federal investigators remain committed to finding suspects who leave the country.

“Hinojosa is accused of exploiting children and then fleeing the United States to evade prosecution,” Ferguson said. “We will not give up on those that flee; we will track down and prosecute those who prey on our children, wherever they go.”

Hinojosa made his initial court appearance in Charlotte on Sunday. If convicted, he faces a statutory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years for each count of receipt and transportation. The charge of possession carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Hinojosa had his arraignment and detention hearing in Charlotte on Tuesday. A judge ordered that he remain in custody pending his trial, which has not yet been scheduled.

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