A 32-year-old Rio Grande City man has been sentenced to federal prison for sexually exploiting a minor.

Jorge Alberto Bazan pleaded guilty on May 27 and was ordered to serve five years in federal prison.

According to a news release, authorities identified Bazan in 2025 while conducting investigations through social media.

Between Sept. 12, 2025, and Sept. 24, 2025, Bazan communicated with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old minor.

The news release said during those conversations, Bazan expressed interest in engaging in sexual activities with the child, solicited explicit photos, and instructed her on how to receive images and delete them.

After completing his prison term, Bazan must serve five years of supervised release and must follow requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet.

Bazan will also have to register as a sex offender. He remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.