A Dominican national accused of child sexual exploitation appeared in federal court in Charlotte on March 31 after being extradited from the Dominican Republic, according to U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina.
The case highlights efforts by U.S. law enforcement to pursue individuals charged with exploiting children, even when they flee the country. Authorities said Roberto Severino Hinojosa was indicted nearly a decade ago and left the United States following an FBI interview.
“Hinojosa is accused of exploiting children and then fleeing the United States to evade prosecution,” Ferguson said. “We will not give up on those that flee; we will track down and prosecute those who prey on our children, wherever they go.”
Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Charlotte Field Office, also commented on the arrest: “Roberto Severino Hinojosa was indicted in the Western District of North Carolina, nearly a decade ago and fled the U.S., likely believing he had escaped the reach of the FBI and the Department of Justice. He was proven wrong when he was apprehended and handcuffed in the Dominican Republic. By leveraging the strength of our law enforcement partners in this country and around the world, there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
Hinojosa faces multiple counts related to possession, transportation, and receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including material involving prepubescent minors under age 12. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of five years for each count related to receipt or transportation of CSAM and up to 20 years for possession.
Authorities emphasized that all charges are allegations at this stage and Hinojosa is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation involved cooperation between local agencies such as Union County Sheriff’s Office as well as international assistance from Dominican authorities. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs played a role in securing his arrest and extradition.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated federal, state, and local resources.
