Winona Man Charged in Sextortion Scheme Targeting Girls as Young as Nine

(KNSI) — A Winona man has been charged in an online sextortion scheme that victimized more than 60 girls across the country and abroad.

Valentin Silva Quintana allegedly used Instagram and Snapchat to trick girls between nine and 12 years old into sending him sexual photos and videos or covertly recording them engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The 30-year-old allegedly threatened to send the images to their friends and family unless the girls produced ever more graphic content for him. According to prosecutors, he continued this type of sextortion even as his victims wept and begged him to stop.

According to court documents, between April 2022 and June 2023, Quintana victimized girls from Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Zealand and elsewhere. Investigators say he used fake identities, lied about his age, and posed as a young girl himself.

Quintana has been charged with thirteen counts of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. Quintana made his initial appearance on Thursday in U.S. District Court. He remains in custody pending further court proceedings.

To date, more than 60 victim survivors have been identified, although law enforcement believes there may be more. Anyone who believes they may have information should contact Homeland Security Investigations through the toll-free tip line at 1-866-347-2423.

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