A Chicopee man is behind bars after an undercover sting at a West Springfield motel led to a slate of child sex trafficking charges that prosecutors say cap a multi-agency investigation stretching from New Jersey to western Massachusetts. Edgar Delvalle, 47, of Chicopee, was arraigned in Springfield District Court on Tuesday following his April 17 arrest. He faces multiple felony counts, including trafficking of a person under 18 for sexual servitude, paying for sexual conduct with a child, enticement of a child and felony attempts to commit rape of a child, along with an allegation of possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute. Prosecutors say he has a prior criminal history involving offenses against children.
Investigation Spanned State Lines
According to Hampden County prosecutors, the investigation started when undercover investigators in New Jersey identified Delvalle as a suspect. New Jersey State Police then coordinated with the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit and local partners to monitor online communications and set up a controlled arrest. As reported by New England Public Media, officials described the operation as part of ongoing Internet Crimes Against Children task force work.
Arrest, Charges and Court Schedule
Authorities say Delvalle was taken into custody without incident at the West Springfield motel on April 17. He was arraigned Tuesday in Springfield District Court, where prosecutors said bail on the new charges was set at $250,000. He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on May 20. As reported by The Boston Globe, Delvalle pleaded not guilty at arraignment.
Prior Convictions and Supervision
Prosecutors told the court that Delvalle has a significant prior criminal record involving similar offenses against children. He pleaded guilty in 2021 in Hampden Superior Court and was sentenced to seven to eight years in state prison. After receiving credit for time served, he was released in January 2025 and placed on probation with conditions that included GPS monitoring, a prohibition on contact with children and requirements to complete sex-offender treatment, according to Spectrum News 1.
What Authorities Said
At a press conference, officials highlighted the multi-agency nature of the case and used the moment to urge parents to keep close tabs on kids’ online activity. Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble warned that “parents must understand that predators are out there watching for opportunities,” and Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni credited the New Jersey undercover teams for initiating the investigation, officials said in remarks reported by New England Public Media.
Legal Status and Next Steps
Delvalle remains in custody while prosecutors continue to develop the case. The district attorney’s office has asked anyone with information related to the investigation to contact local law enforcement, according to a press release.
The Hampden District Attorney’s Office first announced the arrest and charges on social media, sharing details of the sting and the ongoing investigation via Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni.
