A former Air Force captain faces 10 years to life in prison and a $500,000 fine after a jury convicted him of child-exploitation offenses on July 17 following a five-day trial in Camden, N.J.
Gabriel Perez, 31, of Eastampton, N.J., was convicted of attempted enticement and coercion of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene materials to a minor, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey. The charges stem from online communications on social media with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old girl.
In August 2024, Perez, then 29, communicated with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to the press release. Within 24 hours of learning the girl’s age, Perez expressed interest in meeting the girl for sex, and also sent an obscene photo of himself, according to the release.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited agents with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and thanked the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Eastampton Police Department for assisting in the investigation.
Perez’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 9.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
