LOS ANGELES – A Sylmar man, Alejandro Garcia Aranda, 23, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing sexually explicit images of high school girls without their consent and extorting victims who objected. Aranda was also ordered to pay $45,000 in restitution to 15 victims, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In sentencing Aranda, the judge condemned his actions as "cruel," "callous," and "monstrous."

Aranda utilized the social media platform Instagram to advertise and distribute links to the child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Specifically, between April and May 2020, he operated under the Instagram handle "valleyhoezzz818," with the stated aim of "exposing all valley hoes with their @'s," targeting female students in the San Fernando Valley. This disturbing online activity preyed upon the vulnerabilities of young women, turning their private images into a commodity for his personal gain.

Aranda operated a pay-for-access scheme, accepting payments through various digital platforms including Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle. Upon receiving payment, he would send direct messages to customers containing links to zip files holding the CSAM. This method allowed him to efficiently disseminate the illicit material to a wide audience while maintaining a degree of anonymity.

The victims became aware of Aranda's actions when they discovered their nonconsensual images were being advertised and shared. In a particularly egregious act of further victimization, when these young women demanded that Aranda cease his distribution and remove their photos, he instead attempted to extort them. He threatened to release additional explicit images if they did not provide him with more, demonstrating a complete disregard for their well-being and a chilling willingness to exploit their fear.

The investigation into Aranda's activities culminated in his federal arrest in July 2024. He pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing CSAM, including three sexually explicit videos and one image depicting minors, in May 2020. Further investigation revealed the extent of his depravity: Aranda possessed over 600 images of CSAM.

This case highlights the devastating impact of online exploitation and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice. The substantial sentence imposed upon Aranda underscores the severity of his crimes and serves as a deterrent to others who might engage in such reprehensible behavior. The DOJ's commitment to protecting children from online predators remains steadfast.