Salinas man molested, trafficked young boy throughout 2017, feds say

SAN JOSE — A 30-year-old Salinas man has been charged with sexually abusing and trafficking a then-14-year-old boy he met through online apps, according to federal prosecutors.

Daniel P. Aguirre was charged with sexual exploitation and child enticement, which carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. He had his first court appearance Monday and is set to appear in court Thursday for a detention hearing.

Federal prosecutors said in a news release that Aguirre communicated with the alleged victim through the dating app Grindr. Over a five-month period in 2017, they said, he sexually abused the teen and ultimately coerced him to “engage in multiple acts of prostitution.” The complaint alleges Aguirre posted prostitution ads of the boy on Craigslist.

The investigation started 16 months ago, after the boy came forward, according to federal prosecutors.