ATIC investigators, with direct support from Aerial Recovery, have rescued two minors who were lured as victims of grooming and exploited through Facebook. The suspect was arrested in San Pedro Sula and faces charges of human trafficking and aggravated rape.
The ASTI, the Technical Criminal Investigation Agency in Honduras, is a specialized agency within the Public Ministry responsible for investigating serious crimes with significant social impact.
Four cell phones were seized, containing fake profiles used to recruit and sextort children. Using deception, the perpetrator convinced one minor to travel from a municipality in Ocotepeque to San Pedro Sula, Cortés, where the defendant was waiting for her. He then took her to a hotel where he sexually abused her. Another minor, whom the alleged attacker forced to get off a bus, went missing for days and was found in Ocotepeque on Sunday and safely reunited with her family.
Investigators have also expanded the case into child pornography. Aerial Recovery’s support made these rescues possible by:
✔️ Providing vehicles, lodging, meals, and per diem for ATIC operations
✔️ Conducting OSINT, sophisticated open-source intelligence, on suspects and fake accounts
✔️ Supporting family reunification and survivor aftercare, including psychological assistance
Said one of the survivors family, “For us it’s a pleasure saying hi to you from a distance, we are in the small town of San Marcos Ocotepeque. We are extremely grateful to everyone at Aerial for supporting us. Thank you very much. We are extremely grateful at the Aerial team for extending a helping hand when we needed the most, thank you, God will multiply your blessings.”
Both kids are now safe and beginning their healing journey. Aerial Recovery will support them and their family 100 percent of the way.
