A federal grand jury indicted Gerardo Aurelio Iturbide, a 24-year-old Mexican national residing illegally in Hurricane, Utah, on March 10 for allegedly producing and distributing child sexual abuse material involving a teenage girl, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah on Mar. 11.
The case is significant as it involves multiple alleged offenses against minors and highlights ongoing efforts to address crimes related to child exploitation and illegal immigration. Authorities say that Iturbide had previously been voluntarily removed from the United States three times before his recent arrest.
According to court documents, Iturbide met three underaged girls at a gas station parking lot in Hurricane, Utah, on November 23, 2025. He reportedly took them to a nearby hotel where he provided alcohol and sexually abused two of them. He is accused of filming himself abusing one victim and sending the video to a friend via a messaging app while encouraging the friend to come to the hotel room. Police responded after one of the victims called 911.
Iturbide faces federal charges for production and distribution of child pornography. He is also being held on state charges including unlawful sexual contact with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. His initial federal court appearance is scheduled for March 16 at the courthouse in St. George, Utah.
The investigation was led by the Hurricane Police Department with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brady Wilson is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Childhood—initiatives aimed at combating illegal immigration-related crime and child exploitation nationwide. The Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood in May 2006 to coordinate resources across agencies for investigating and prosecuting those who exploit children online.
Officials remind that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
