Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Gabriel Estrada, 30, of Denver, Colorado, was convicted by a federal jury for attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. The four-day trial was held before U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson.
According to trial evidence, Estrada used a chat app to meet up with a 13-year-old persona for sexual intercourse. An undercover agent posed as a 13-year-old female, living in Laramie, Wyoming. Estrada messaged the 13-year-old persona asking if she would have sex with him. He went on to ask the 13-year-old persona if she had any friends that would like to join them in the sexual encounter and asked about her sexual experience. Estrada then drove the two hours from his home to Laramie after confirming the minor would engage in other sexual acts with him. Estrada arrived at the location, along with other physical evidence indicative of his intent to engage in sexual acts with the minor and an iPhone. The iPhone contained the text messages to the 13-year-old persona. Estrada testified that he made the decision to drive from his apartment in Denver to Laramie, even after the minor told him her age. Estrada said he did not believe she was actually 13.
Sentencing has been set for Jan. 13, 2025. Estrada faces 10 years to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, five years to life supervised release and a $100 special assessment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors in both cases.
This crime was investigated by the Laramie Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold.
Case No. CR-24-00033