Loretto Man Sentenced to 20 Years

The U.S. Attorney’s Office reports that Loretto resident Juan Carlos Barturen, who was arrested in June 2025 on statutory rape and child exploitation charges, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison along with 10 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution to the victim totaling $10,000. The investigation was launched through the TBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children squad after the victim took her cell phone to her carrier to discuss service plans. Employees noticed concerning text messages and filed a tip online through the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Barturen was found guilty on four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Investigators allege that the ongoing abuse began by the time the victim was ten years old.