WCDA Secures Guilty Verdict

Announces Result of Attempted Child Abuse and Solicitation Case

A Sparks man has been found guilty of Attempted Child Abuse and Soliciting a Child for Prostitution.

Tyler Atencio, age 24, was arrested in connection with an undercover operation the Regional Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) unit ran in October of 2020 in collaboration with the FBI. The goal of the operation was to address the intentional purchase of sex from minors using websites known to facilitate prostitution transactions.

During the operation, 28 individuals were arrested and charged, including Atencio. At this time, 16 of the 28 defendants have pled, with three having been found guilty at trial.

The case against Atencio began in early October of 2020, when he contacted an undercover officer posing as a 16-year-old girl through a known escort website. After being clearly and explicitly advised that he was speaking to a 16-year-old female child, the defendant continued to communicate and arrange to pay the believed child for sex.

At trial, Deputy District Attorney Darcy Cameron presented the text messages that Atencio had exchanged with the believed 16-year-old child, as well as portions of his interview with law enforcement, proving that he very clearly believed that he was speaking to a child and intended on paying her for sex.

Sentencing for Atencio is set for July 10, 2023.