SPOKANE — A Quincy man will be spending seven years in federal prison for paying a teenager to engage in sex acts at his residence.

Alberto Castro Jr., of Quincy, previously pleaded guilty in March to patronizing a 13-year-old engaged in commercial sex. United States District Court Judge Salvador Mendoza Jr. sentenced Castro to seven years in federal prison, which will be followed up by 10 years of supervision after he is released from prison.

Castro’s sentence comes after a 13-year-old girl allegedly contacted him at the direction of another man who was also charged in the case. Castro paid the victim $80 for two sex acts at his residence. Police discovered Castro’s criminal conduct as they were investigating the other male, identified as Eric J. Perez. Police were investigating Perez after a sibling of one of his victims told a school counselor she was concerned about her sister contacting Perez on Facebook.

The Quincy Police Department was contacted and with the help of the FBI, it was discovered that Perez’s Facebook account contained conversations between Perez and several young girls. Perez pled guilty in September to production of child pornography, attempted production of child pornography, coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, child sex trafficking, attempted child sex trafficking and possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 13.

“The impact of Castro’s crime on his victim cannot be overstated. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington prosecutes crimes against children aggressively, in part because of the extreme vulnerability of the young victims.” Joseph H. Harrington, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said. “This case is yet another example of the successful investigative efforts that can be accomplished when state and federal law enforcement, such as the Quincy Police Department and the FBI, work in partnership.”

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.