"The Kauai Police Department, led by Detective Randy Chong Tim, Lieutenant Dan Fort, and Assistant Chief Roy Asher, did a phenomenal job with this investigation," said Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho.  "Solving, charging, and convicting Alpeche is an example of law enforcement collaboration at its best."

After Alpeche was charged and the nature of his crimes made public, the FBI contacted the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and the Kauai Police Department regarding a similar case involving a minor.

Using the same phony modeling agency scheme, an unknown suspect extorted over $7,500 from the victim, and threatened to release the revealing "audition" photos of the minor if she did not provide money and sex during a total of five separate encounters.

Before the last encounter, one of the family members learned of the scheme and recorded the serial numbers on the bills, which they later provided to the FBI.  Kauai police had already recovered the money during the ballpark assault investigation against Alpeche, and was able to match the serial numbers on the bills to the case involving the minor.

In order to strengthen the case against Alpeche, the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office decided to transfer the minor's case to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for prosecution alongside the already-charged ballpark case. The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, in consultation with the victims and their families, entered into a plea agreement that required Alpeche to agree to a 10-year term of imprisonment.

Alpeche plead guilty on May 23 and was sentenced by Judge Kathleen Watanabe on September 12.

First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jake Delaplane represented the state while Deputy Public Defender John Calma represented Alpeche.

"Alpeche is a new breed of predator," First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jake Delaplane told the court, "Lurking in the anonymous shadows of the Internet to prey on these young and vulnerable victims."

"Although he wasn’t charged with theft, Mr. Alpeche stole something from each of the victims," Delaplane said.  "He stole their innocence, their sense of security, and the ability to live a normal life."

Calma said it was technology and social media that made this crime possible.  He said Alpeche is a bright man who has made himself a model prisoner and accepted responsibility for his actions.