DOJ: Man who took girl from SLO County to Mexico for ‘sexual activity’ convicted

A man who took a 15-year-old girl from Nipomo to Mexico with the intent to engage in “criminal sexual activity” after posing online as a teenage boy has been convicted of multiple federal charges.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, 41-year-old Daniel Navarro was found guilty Thursday night of at least six federal charges, including two counts of sexual exploitation of a child for the purpose of producing a sexually explicit visual depiction, one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, one count of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography.

Navarro’s trial lasted four days, the release said.

According to the release, Navarro transported an Arizona girl, who was spending her summer on the Central Coast, from Nipomo to Tijuana, Mexico, with the intent to engage in sexual activity. He had previously communicated with the victim online and sent child pornography to her over Instagram, the Department of Justice said.

According to the release, evidence showcased during Navarro’s trial indicated he used Instagram to solicit sexual images from a second victim as well.

Navarro, who was from San Bernardino County, was arrested upon his return to the United States after taking the victim to Mexico in 2022, the release said. The girl was found by Mexican authorities after the perpetrator’s arrest.

The Department of Justice said the San Luis Obispo County Sherriff’s Office and the FBI have been investigating the case. The release also credited the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.

Navarro’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24. According to the release, he faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

This story was originally published August 1, 2025 at 12:29 PM.

Sadie Dittenber

The Tribune

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Sadie Dittenber writes about education for The Tribune and is a California Local News Fellow through the UC Berkeley School of Journalism. Dittenber graduated from The College of Idaho with a degree in international political economy.