Yorktown, Va. — A 31-year-old man from Illinois has been handed an active prison term after admitting he communicated with and persuaded a 9-year-old York County child to create explicit images, according to authorities.
Case, arrest and extradition
The investigation began in April 2025 when the child’s parent discovered inappropriate messages on an online chat platform and reported them to the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office. Detectives identified the sender as Andres Arreola, who was living in Illinois. Law enforcement arrested Arreola there and transported him to York County to face charges.
Charges and sentence
Arreola pleaded guilty to charges that included enticing a minor to perform child sexual abuse acts and using a communication system to facilitate offenses involving a child. A judge imposed a total sentence of 40 years, but suspended parts of it. The active custodial portion ordered was eight years and six months. After his release, he will serve 20 years of supervised probation.
"The exploitation of children—whether in person or online—will not be tolerated in York County," said Commonwealth's Attorney Krystyn Reid, who praised investigators, prosecutors and the victim's family for their work on the case.
Restrictions and registry
As part of the sentence, Arreola is prohibited from unsupervised contact with minors. He also must register with Virginia’s Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry upon release.
- Victim age: 9 years old
- Defendant: Andres Arreola, 31, Illinois resident
- Custodial sentence: 8 years, 6 months active
- Probation after release: 20 years supervised
Local and cross-jurisdictional response
York County prosecutors and local detectives worked with partners to trace electronic evidence and confirm Arreola’s identity in another state. The case illustrates how digital communications can lead to criminal investigation across state lines and the role of multiagency cooperation in child-exploitation cases.
For families, the case is a reminder to monitor children’s online activity, maintain open conversations about internet safety and report suspicious messages to local law enforcement. Agencies handling similar investigations often advise preserving messages and screenshots and contacting police rather than engaging with suspected perpetrators.
| Timeline | Key action |
|---|---|
| April 2025 | Parent discovers inappropriate messages; report to York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office |
| After April 2025 | Arreola identified in Illinois, arrested and extradited to York County |
| Sentencing | Judge orders 40-year sentence, suspends 31 years and 6 months; 8½ years active |
Authorities said electronic evidence recovered during the investigation supported the charges. The Commonwealth’s Attorney emphasized accountability for anyone who harms a child and acknowledged the victim and family for their cooperation during the proceedings.
News Block will continue to monitor developments in this case and provide updates on registry status or additional legal actions as they become available.
