NJ Air Force Captain Showed Up For Sex With Underage Girl, Officials Say

EASTAMPTON, NJ — A United States Air Force Captain tried to orchestrate sexual activities with an underage girl, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey said.

Gabriel Perez, 31, of Eastampton, was convicted of attempted enticement and coercion of a minor, and attempted transfer of obscene materials to a minor.

Subscribe

As a 29-year-old Air Force Captain in August 2024, Perez talked online through a social media platform with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

There was an undercover law enforcement officer on the other side.

Within around 24 hours of learning who he was talking to was supposed to be 14 years old, he showed a desire to meet her for sexual activities, authorities said.

Perez shared an obscene photo of himself within the communication channel on Aug. 28, 2024, and arranged to meet her the next day for sex.

He drove to a pre-arranged location with condoms in his pocket on Aug. 29, 2024, and was arrested.

Perez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in jail and a maximum life sentence for attempted enticement and coercion of a minor.

He is also subject to a maximum of 10 years in jail for attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.

Both charges carry a maximum fine of $250,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 9.

The case was carried out as part of "Project Safe Childhood," a nationwide effort to fight child sexual exploitation and abuse. Local, state, and federal resources are focused on locating, arresting, and prosecuting people who exploit children, and both identifying and saving victims.

More on Project Safe Childhood can be found on the United States Department of Justice website.

MORE FROM PATCH: Bribes, Customer Information Fuel Money Laundering Operation For Former NJ Bank Employees, Officials Say

HAVE A STORY IDEA OR NEWS TO SHARE? Contact Editor Eddie Callahan at edward.callahan@patch.com to connect with Patch in your area.