Jose Nedar Reyes-Castro, 25, of Bridgeville, Del., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Chief Judge William M. Skretny to one felony charge of transportation of a minor with intent to have sex.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Mango, who handled the case, stated that on March 26, 2009, the defendant knowingly transported a 12-year-old minor female victim from the State of Delaware to the State of New York. Specifically, the defendant convinced the victim to run away with him, and the two traveled to Maryland, Florida and then to New York state. Reyes-Castro admitted that while in Delaware, Maryland and Florida he had intercourse with the victim. On April 5, 2009, the defendant and the victim were apprehended by law-enforcement personnel when they attempted to cross into Ontario, Canada, at the Peace Bridge.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Buffalo Police Department.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 16 at 9 am in front of U.S. District Chief Judge William Skretny.

Transportation of a minor with intent to have sex carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.