Ada County Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Possession and Production of Child Pornography

Attorney General Raul Labrador announced that Manuel Paul Apalatequi, 33, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child by production of sexually exploitative material, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and one count of sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitative material, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Apalatequi was sentenced on June 28, 2024, by Ada County District Judge Derrick O’Neill.

Between August 2022 and October 2023, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received numerous CyberTips from Synchronoss Technologies indicating that multiple files containing child sexual abuse material were being uploaded to their network from a phone number associated with Apalatequi. After obtaining search warrants, agents searched Apalatequi’s home and phone, locating approximately 1,000 files of child sexual abuse material. Additionally, Apalatequi engaged in conversations with minor females that included the exchange of sexually explicit photos and videos. Apalatequi threatened to release one victim’s sexually explicit photos unless she complied with his demands for additional explicit content.

“I am grateful for the hard work of the ICAC investigators and the prosecutor in this case,” said Attorney General Labrador. “A sentence of this magnitude reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and helps remove another predator from the streets instead of targeting our children for sexual abuse and extortion.”

Judge O’Neill sentenced Apalatequi to 25 years in prison, with five years determinate and 20 years indeterminate, and ordered that Apalatequi have no contact with the victims for 30 years. Apalatequi was also ordered to pay court costs and expenses. Upon his release, Apalatequi will be required to register as a sex offender under Idaho law.

The case was investigated by the Attorney General’s ICAC unit, in cooperation with the Boise Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Madison Allen.