The Boise Police Department received a report of a missing teen last Thursday, and through diligent investigation, they uncovered that the girl had been communicating with an unidentified individual online. Following her movements across state lines—from eastern Idaho to Utah and finally to Texas—law enforcement worked to ensure her safe recovery.
Boise Police officers, alongside the Special Victim’s Unit, collaborated with the victim’s friends, family, and multiple law enforcement agencies to track leads. Their efforts culminated in locating the teen in Texas. According to Lieutenant Josiah Ransom of the Special Victim’s Unit, their primary focus was on the safe return of the teen, as noted in a Houston Chronicle report.
The suspect, Aguilar, is now in custody, facing serious charges, including first-degree kidnapping and child sex trafficking under Idaho law. He is also charged with harboring a runaway in Harris County, Texas. An ICE hold prevents his release, and federal charges are also being considered.
Aguilar’s family has claimed they were unaware of the girl’s status as a runaway, believing her to be an adult. They revealed that Aguilar met the teen on Facebook and paid around $2,000 for her transport from Boise to Houston, according to Click2Houston.
The investigation highlighted the role of social media in the case. Caroline Roberts of Children at Risk emphasized that the term “runaway” may misrepresent the situation, explaining that many teens are manipulated and groomed by predators. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 2,373 trafficking cases in Texas last year, illustrating the scale of the issue.
The teen, discovered with hickeys on her neck, was taken to a hospital for evaluation, where a sexual assault investigation is now underway. Boise Police confirmed that the girl is receiving support services and is expected to return home safely.