Teddy Jay Mejia convicted for trafficking minors in Philippines

A man named Teddy Jay Mejia was convicted in September 2024 for trafficking minors and selling child sexual abuse materials. His crimes were revealed after a concerned citizen reported him to the Philippine National Police (PNP) through social media in May 2023. Authorities found that Mejia lured young victims into sending him explicit photos for money. He used these images to blackmail them into sending more and even threatened to harm their families. Mejia distributed the materials to paying customers and was found to have victimized over 100 individuals throughout the Philippines. At the time of the investigation, Mejia was in Dubai but was eventually arrested by the police. Brig. Gen. Portia Manalad emphasized the commitment of law enforcement to catch those who think they can escape justice. Mejia faced multiple charges, including human trafficking and violations of anti-child sexual abuse laws. He pleaded guilty to lesser offenses, leading to a total sentence of over 400 years in prison and a fine of ₱10 million. Some of his customers were also convicted for their roles in the exploitation. Regional Prosecutor Rommel Baligod stated that Mejia's conviction shows the government's determination to fight human trafficking and online sexual abuse of children. He highlighted the importance of community involvement in tackling these crimes.