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 Dollar Exchange Rate Falls to Another Record Low

The U.S. dollar has fallen to its lowest level on record against Costa Rica’s colón, extending a decline that is increasing the purchasing power...

El Niño Drought Could Leave 16 Million Without Enough Food in Latin America

Drought caused by the El Niño climate phenomenon could leave 16 million people in Latin America without enough food, the regional director of the...

Buying Property in Costa Rica – What Foreign Buyers Need to Know

Foreigners can own land in Costa Rica on the same terms as citizens, with one significant exception, and the country has spent two decades...

Beginner’s Guide to Scuba Diving in Costa Rica

Learning to scuba dive in Costa Rica takes three days. Here is what it costs, where beginners should start, and when to go.

Costa Rica Expects Major Cruise Tourism Jump in Puntarenas

Costa Rica expects around 150,000 cruise passengers to arrive in Puntarenas during the 2026–2027 season, a sharp increase that could bring more business to...

Costa Rica’s Rincón de la Vieja Sends Plume 1,000 Meters Above Crater

Costa Rica’s Rincón de la Vieja volcano erupted yesterday sending a plume approximately 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above its crater and bringing the number...

Crabs Found Hitchhiking on Sea Snakes Off Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

A study built on specimens collected in Costa Rican waters has documented something never before recorded in the scientific literature — crabs living on...

Route 1 at Cambronero Closed for up to Two Months After Bridge Damage

If your drive west runs through Cambronero, plan on going another way for a while. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport says the...

Costa Rica Free Zones Lose Jobs for First Time in Seven Years

Employment in Costa Rica’s free-zone regime fell year over year in July for the first time in seven years, ending a long stretch of...
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