KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A Kansas City man, who was already a registered sex offender in Missouri, pleaded guilty in state court to sexually exploiting at least three children.

This guilty plea resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Daniel Ontiveros, 61, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty Nov. 25 to one count of child sexual exploitation in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Ontiveros has a prior conviction for attempted possession of child pornography in February 2013 in Missouri. As a result of this conviction, he was placed on the state’s sex offender’s registry. He also has a conviction for enticing a child in April 2013.

“Child exploitation cases remain at the top of our investigative priorities for one basic reason: children are our most precious asset and need our protection,” said Special Agent in Charge Katherine J. Greer, of HSI Kansas City. “By pooling resources with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, we more effectively target child predators, and make our communities safer for children.”

This criminal investigation began April 15, 2018, when the parents of a minor victim contacted law enforcement to alert authorities their daughter had been communicating with Ontiveros via social media, had traded sexually explicit photos of herself, and that Ontiveros had traveled to Illinois to meet with her and engage in sexual activity.

Three days later, based on the information received, HSI special agents executed a federal search warrant at Ontiveros’ Kansas City residence and seized several computer items containing sexually explicit materials depicting minor children, as well as evidence of his plans to travel to Illinois. Subsequent analysis of the seized evidence recovered nearly 100 videos and nearly 300 images depicting child exploitation. Ontiveros was arrested June 12, 2018, based on this evidence.

As a previously convicted sex offender Ontiveros faces up to 25 years in state prison. He remains in state custody in Wyandotte County pending a sentencing date.

To date, HSI Kansas City has confirmed the identities of three minor female victims of Ontiveros; however, more victims remain unidentified. Anyone who believes they may have more information about this case should contact local law enforcement or HSI through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or by completing its online tip form. The number and online tip form are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.

HSI Kansas City’s area of responsibility covers Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. In FY 2019 the office conducted more than 100 arrests related to child exploitation, obtained nearly 100 indictments and more than 50 convictions, so far. In addition, the investigative team has rescued or identified about 15 child victims of sexual exploitation.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 19,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child exploitation material, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2018, more than 3,000 (3191) child predators were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 850 (859) victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page. HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.