Q COSTA RICA — The Heredia Criminal Court sentenced a man named Alfaro Mena to 30 years in prison for five counts of distributing pornography to two underage girls.
The decision followed an investigation led by the San Joaquín de Flores Fiscalía (Prosecutor’s Office), which successfully proved the crimes were committed between February and April 2022.
According to the Fiscalía, the defendant, who worked as an informal taxi driver and lived near the victims, used his proximity to the victims to drive them daily to school in Santa Bárbara de Heredia. During at least five separate trips, Alfaro Mena showed the girls, sisters 9 and 10 years old at the time, sexually explicit images.
The sentence emphasizes that the defendant used his position of trust and his neighborly relationship to gain access to the minors.
According to the evidence presented by the Fiscalía, the victims were not only exposed to sexual content but also suffered considerable psychological harm, according to reports included in the court file.
The defendant will remain in pretrial detention (remand) until the sentence is final (allowing for any appeals), as a protective measure for the minors.
The Fiscalía emphasized in its indictment the seriousness of the acts and the impact on the victims, factors that influenced the court’s decision to impose a severe sentence.
The case generated significant media attention in the region, given the nature of the crimes and the context in which they occurred. The San Joaquín de Flores Prosecutor’s Office emphasized the importance of reporting these types of situations and reiterated the institution’s commitment to protecting children and adolescents, reminding the public that the law severely punishes the crimes of exploitation and distribution of child pornography.
The legal proceedings also highlighted the challenges authorities face in combating sexual crimes against minors, especially when the perpetrators are people in the victims’ close circle. The court acknowledged the work of the participating agencies, including the police and psychological support teams.
According to official records, the distribution of child pornography is one of the most prosecuted crimes under Costa Rican law. The Penal Code establishes severe penalties for those who engage in this type of conduct, particularly in cases of recidivism or when a relationship of trust is exploited.
In this case, the 30-year sentence represents one of the harshest penalties handed down by the Heredia Criminal Court for sexual offenses against minors. Child rights organizations stated that these rulings send a clear message about the importance of protecting children and punishing those who violate their well-being.
The court file will remain sealed to protect the victims’ identities.