A Valley Village man is facing charges for allegedly using social media to prey on minors by providing them with drugs and alcohol in exchange for sexual acts. Ivan Hernandez, 30, was arrested on March 23 by the Burbank Police Department with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) after he was found with an underage female in a scenario described as suspected drug activity, according to details released by the Burbank Police Department and reported by KTLA.
The reports highlighted that detectives had determined Hernandez had been actively offering nitrous oxide, marijuana, and alcohol to minors. It was shared by the Burbank Police Department on their Facebook page that he would frequently record the encounters on his cell phone and is believed to have used various Instagram profiles, including "noznbars," "n2ohead," "nawzhead818," "nozzhead_818," and "nozzhead818_," to identify and contact potential victims.
Following his arrest, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office proceeded to formally charge Hernandez with several felonies on March 25, as documented in the news release obtained by the Burbank Police Department Facebook page. Charges include three counts of unlawful sex with a minor under 16, two counts of arranging to meet with a minor for lewd purposes, and one count each of child endangerment, oral copulation of a minor under 16, lewd or lascivious acts with a minor 14 or 15 years old, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Hernandez is currently being held without bail and awaits his next court appearance.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the situation and believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. They are urging anyone with information or those who may have been affected to swiftly contact Detective Shifley of the Burbank Police Department at (818) 238-3210.
