Jailed For Child Sexual Exploitation

News Americas, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Mon. May 11, 2015: A Puerto Rican former psychiatrist will spend the next 15 years in prison for transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct.

On Aug. 20, 2013, Gerardo Navarro-Rodriguez, 60, was arrested at his medical office in Caguas after an investigation revealed he allegedly induced, coerced and enticed at least one 17-year-old male minor to engage in commercial sexual acts.

The investigation was spurred by a referral from the Puerto Rico Police Department.

According to the criminal complaint, Navarro-Rodriguez was a psychiatrist working for APS Healthcare Puerto Rico. APS is a private corporation contracted by the Puerto Rican government and is the sole provider of mental health services under The Puerto Rico Health Reform, “Mi Salud.”

In his position as a psychiatrist for APS, Dr. Navarro-Rodriguez provided, among other things, psychiatric therapy sessions to children and adolescent victims of sexual abuse. From approximately October 2011 through May 2013, a male minor identified as John Doe was a patient of Dr. Navarro-Rodriguez. The criminal complaint alleges during this period the doctor committed lewd acts and sexual assault against the victim on several occasions.

The investigation that led to the arrest, prosecution and subsequent sentence was made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force officers.

“Predators who victimize innocent children for selfish gratification must know that we will not rest until they are brought to justice, regardless of where they live and who they are,” said Ricardo Mayoral, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “Words cannot describe the harm that these crimes inflict on children.”