No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveSouth Carolina police detain Costa Rican man on child pornography charges in...

South Carolina police detain Costa Rican man on child pornography charges in the U.S.

Police in the southern U.S. state of South Carolina arrested a Costa Rican man, Michael Portilla, 29, on Thursday, and charged him with possession of child pornography, South Carolina News Channel 15 reported on its website.

According to the news report, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, made the arrest.

On July 16, deputies assisted the Department of Homeland Security in executing a search warrant at the Costa Rica native’s house in Myrtle Beach.

During the search officers found multiple images on a computer showing children engaged in sexual activity.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said Portilla was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree, a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The computer and other computer-related items were seized.

Portilla was released after posting a $10,000 bail bond, the report stated.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Fuel Prices Rise Today as August Cuts Loom

Drivers across Costa Rica are paying new fuel prices starting Tuesday, July 14, with small increases for super gasoline and diesel but a slight...

El Salvador’s Bukele Wins Primary for Third Presidential Term

President Nayib Bukele received the official nomination of his Nuevas Ideas party for the 2027 presidential election, clearing the path for a third consecutive...

Costa Rica vs Belize – Why I Sometimes Tell People Not to Buy Property in Belize

People usually assume they know what a real estate agent is going to say before the conversation even begins. If I sell Belize real...

Volcanic Sediment Turns Two Costa Rica Rivers Milky Gray

The Azul and Pénjamo rivers on the northern side of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano turned a milky gray over the weekend after days...

A Little-Known Tick Virus Turns Up in Costa Rica for the First Time

Costa Rican scientists have detected the Jingmen tick virus in the country for the first time, the earliest confirmed presence of the pathogen anywhere...

Naomi Osaka is winning again — here’s why the next month matters

Naomi Osaka arrived at Wimbledon this year with modest expectations on grass and left it as one of the most dangerous floating names heading...

This Costa Rica Coffee Just Sold for $200 a Pound

A coffee grown high in the mountains of Los Santos sold for $200.10 per pound at Costa Rica's 2026 Cup of Excellence auction, anchoring...

Argentina Beats Switzerland 3-1 to Reach World Cup Semifinals

Argentina survived another tense knockout match Saturday night, defeating 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA...

U.S. Seeks Extradition of Four Suspects in Liberia Cocaine Case

The United States has requested the extradition of three Costa Ricans and a Mexican citizen accused of helping an international drug network move cocaine...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel