CESAR CONEJO FROM ESSEX SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND LIVESTREAMS FROM PHILIPPINES
An individual from Essex, identified as Cesar Conejo, has been handed a 15-year prison sentence after being found guilty of orchestrating and participating in the sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines through live streaming and online payments.The case, investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA), uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse involving Conejo, who was based in Essex but engaged in heinous activities across international borders.
Authorities began their investigation after receiving intelligence from international law enforcement agencies, which linked Conejo to the online distribution of child sexual abuse material and live-streamed abuse involving a Filipino woman.
The evidence, collected between September 2022 and February 2023, included numerous message exchanges between Conejo and the woman, provided by Homeland Security in the United States.
These messages revealed a chilling level of involvement and intent.
In one exchange, the woman confided in Conejo that she was giving birth but lacked the financial means to access hospital care.
Conejo responded insensitively, wishing her luck and making a callous remark about hoping she would have another girl.
Further messages disclosed Conejo’s disturbing requests, including asking the woman to have children perform sexual acts on each other.
The messages also revealed Conejo’s desire to travel to the Philippines to personally commit acts of sexual violence against children, offering to pay the woman $100 daily in exchange for access to children for abuse.
Authorities arrested Conejo in July 2023.
During a search of his residence, officers seized multiple electronic devices, including a laptop and a mobile phone.
Forensic analysis of these devices uncovered over 12,500 indecent images of children, with 4,706 classified as Category A, indicating the most severe form of abuse involving penetration and oral rape.
The investigation also uncovered communications dating back six years with various Filipino women, some of whom were involved in abusing children for financial gain.
One message explicitly asked if the woman had PayPal, indicating a method of payment, and expressed a desire to see her daughter.
Financial inquiries revealed Conejo had transferred approximately £1,300 to Filipino women over the course of six years.
At least sixteen of these payments were linked to a woman who was involved in abusing children known to her, motivated by financial profit.
The case led to the rescue and safeguarding of several child victims in the Philippines, including three children directly connected to this investigation.
The victims ranged in age from five to thirteen at the time of the abuse.
The graphic material obtained from the Filipino woman included some of the most severe forms of abuse, such as penetration with objects and oral rape.
The youngest victim was only between two and three years old, and she was coerced into performing sexual acts with others.
Conejo was charged with multiple offenses, including causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child under 13, making and possessing indecent images, and possessing extreme pornography.
He pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 4 January.
On 17 October, Conejo was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for life and subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
NCA Operations Manager Jen Cruickshank emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “This was a horrific case which is shocking on so many levels.
Not only did Conejo orchestrate the most depraved abuse imaginable on vulnerable children, purely for his own sexual pleasure, he displayed his intentions to travel to the Philippines to carry out these attacks personally.
He is a dangerous, high harm offender who posed a significant risk to children.
The fact they were on the other side of the world probably hadn't escaped his attention, and no doubt made him think he'd avoid detection.
However, the NCA has the capabilities and international reach to ensure that offenders like Conejo don't escape justice.”
