by | Published
Daniel Verduzco, 31, a former Corpus Christi police officer, has pleaded guilty to enticing a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Verduzco was arrested in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in January following an investigation that spanned two states.
The investigation began on January 7, 2025, when a Tulsa Police Department officer responded to Saint Francis Children's Hospital. There, an officer met with the mother of a 15-year-old girl who had discovered her daughter was having sexual conversations with the 31-year-old Corpus Christi police officer. The mother informed investigators that her family had recently moved to Tulsa from Corpus Christi towards the end of last year.
The Tulsa Police Sexual Predator Digital Evidence Recovery Unit subsequently discovered that the victim and Verduzco had been communicating via Snapchat since May 2024, exchanging more than 3,700 messages. These messages included sexually suggestive images and detailed discussions of past sexual relations and intentions for future sexual acts. Investigators reportedly found sexually explicit conversations and photos exchanged between the two, with evidence suggesting they likely had sexual intercourse in Texas. The conversations further revealed Verduzco and the minor victim had met in person on multiple occasions.
U.S. District Judge David Morales will impose sentencing on August 21, 2025. Verduzco faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, along with a possible maximum fine of $250,000. He remains on bond pending the sentencing hearing.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department and the Tulsa Police Department.
