Santo Domingo – Dominican former basketball player Dagoberto Peña, 37, has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison in the United States.
The sentence comes after Peña pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors.
Sentence Details
Judge Sheri Polster Chappell handed down the sentence this Tuesday, also imposing supervised release for life once Peña has served his sentence. He has also been ordered to register as a sex offender.
Case Background
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, Peña admitted his guilt on January 23, 2026. Investigations revealed that, between October 2024 and February 2026, the former athlete persuaded at least two minors to participate in sexually explicit activities.
The objective of these actions was the production of audiovisual material with content of abuse.
The case came to light in April 2025, following a father’s complaint about inappropriate communications between Peña and a minor.
The authorities seized electronic devices and digital accounts from the accused, finding messages, images, and videos of illicit content. Subsequently, a third victim was identified.
Research and Collaboration
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in collaboration with local agencies in Florida, including specialized units in the fight against child exploitation and human trafficking.
Sports Career
In the sports field, Dagoberto Peña played as a forward and represented the Dominican Republic in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
In addition, he had a professional career in European and Latin American leagues, playing for teams in Spain, France, Colombia, Uruguay, and Lithuania.
Peña also played college basketball in the United States, representing Marshall University, after training at Charlotte County High School.
