College Admissions Worker Allegedly Solicited Teen Applicant for Sex 'Within Hours' of Her Campus Tour

• A former Emmanuel College admissions worker has been charged with attempted sex trafficking of a minor after allegedly offering to pay a 17-year-old prospective student for sex
• Jacob Henriques, 29, allegedly began anonymously texting the minor “within hours” of her completing her campus tour
• The Boston-based college terminated Henriques’ position after the allegations came to light, and the FBI is currently seeking information on other potential victims

An admissions worker for a college in Boston has been charged with attempted sex trafficking of a minor after allegedly offering to pay an underage college applicant for sex.

Jacob Henriques, 29, was an Assistant Admissions Director at Emmanuel College when he allegedly sent inappropriate sexual messages to a 17-year-old female applicant after a campus tour, per a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts on Friday, May 2.

According to the charging document, Henriques allegedly used his position as a school administrator “to gain access to the personal information of various admitted or prospective students” whom he later contacted anonymously to solicit sex for money, per the release.  

The release further states that on or around April 25, Henriques contacted a 17-year-old prospective student “within hours” of completing her campus tour. He then allegedly began texting her on the phone number provided on her campus form and offered to pay her $400 “for some fun” and also told her that he had pornographic images and videos for her. 

He then allegedly sent the minor five pornographic videos and asked her if she wanted to participate in a “gang bang” — all while refusing to tell her who he was or how he attained her number.

The minor blocked the incoming messages and phone number, at which point Henriques allegedly began soliciting her via email. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Henriques allegedly accessed the victim’s digital school profile 47 times between April 25 and April 28.

Additionally, Henriques allegedly sent at least several other admitted and prospective students inappropriate messages on April 25, per the release. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently seeking information regarding more potential victims.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Emmanuel College said it took “strong action” once administrators became aware of the allegations and “immediately” contacted law enforcement. The college said that the ensuing investigation “led to the prompt termination of the individual” — though it did not mention Henriques by name.

“We have cooperated fully with authorities from the moment this matter came to our attention and will continue to do so,” the college added in its statement, further explaining that “the safety and well-being of all is our highest priority.”

The Catholic college additionally stated that it is “saddened, angered and shocked” by the “serious federal allegations.”

“They are an affront to our core values, and we stand with anyone victimized by this incident,” the college said.

PEOPLE reached out to the FBI’s Boston field office, as well as to the prosecuting attorney on the case, but did not receive an immediate response. It is not immediately clear if Henriques has retained a lawyer to comment on his behalf.

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If convicted, Henriques faces up to life in prison with a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, with at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Henriques is set to appear in the U.S. District Court in Boston on Monday, May 5.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.