Once a familiar face in Maryland Republican circles, former deputy secretary of state Luis Esteban Borunda is now staring at a potential decades-long prison term after admitting in federal court to sexually exploiting a minor.
Borunda, 67, of Essex, pleaded guilty this week to federal charges tied to the sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old, a case that started with online messages and ended with a high-profile takedown involving both state and federal authorities.
Guilty Plea and Federal Charges
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Borunda pleaded guilty on July 7, 2026, to three federal counts: sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement of a minor, and distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Prosecutors say he recorded sexual acts with a 15-year-old and that investigators later found additional child sexual abuse material on devices seized during the case.
How Investigators Say It Unfolded
Federal and state investigators allege the illegal contact began in mid-2023, when Snapchat and text exchanges escalated into an in-person meeting during a trip to California. During that trip, prosecutors say, Borunda produced an explicit video of the minor.
Maryland State Police also reported that in August 2023, Borunda engaged in an undercover chat with an agent he believed was a 13-year-old and was arrested after showing up for a planned meeting in Anne Arundel County, according to reporting from WBAL.
His Background In State Government
Before his arrest, Borunda held a high-ranking role in Annapolis. He served as deputy secretary of state under then-Gov. Larry Hogan, a position documented in the Maryland Manual On-Line during Hogan’s tenure.
The job made Borunda a visible figure in state government and an active presence in Hispanic Republican civic circles, which has only magnified the public attention on his criminal case.
What He Admitted To And What Comes Next
As part of his plea, Borunda admitted to producing child sexual abuse material involving a 15-year-old, according to federal prosecutors. That production charge alone carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a statutory maximum of 30 years in federal prison.
A judge will set a sentencing date after a pre-sentence investigation and recommendations from probation officers and attorneys on both sides, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said.
Why This Case Is Hitting Home In Maryland
The guilty plea has pushed the case back into the local spotlight, partly because it began as a state-level sting and later drew in federal prosecutors under Project Safe Childhood, the Department of Justice initiative focused on combating online child exploitation.
Local and national outlets have tracked Borunda’s case, including coverage by The Baltimore Sun and a national summary from PEOPLE.
Authorities say the investigation remains active and have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward. Local reporting from 2023 noted a state tip line for potential witnesses at 800-637-5437, according to WBAL.
Survivors and others seeking support can contact the national Sexual Assault Hotline via RAINN or reach the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
