Published on June 24, 2025 12:25 pm
Last Updated on June 24, 2025 12:26 pm
(CRUZ CEBA)
An Effingham man is in custody at the Effingham County Jail after an investigation by Effingham Police Department uncovered multiple offenses that allegedly occurred at a local residence. The suspect was identified as 41-year-old Juan Alberto Cruz Ceba.
On June 8, Effingham City Police received a report of a female juvenile who revealed she was the victim of domestic battery, sexual assaults, and was subjected to involuntary confinement at her residence. A trusted third party who is the pastor of a local church brought the juvenile to the police department to make the report. The pastor had previously attended an informational meeting for community leaders on how to be an advocate for victims, which was led by Effingham Police Officers. After the initial report, the victim received immediate medical attention and was given protective assistance from area child-victim crisis professionals.
Effingham Police Department Criminal Investigators began their probe into the case, and determined the juvenile was a victim of ongoing sexual exploitation and abuse that started years earlier in a different location. The investigation also uncovered additional offenses perpetrated by Cruz Ceba against the victim. At this time, Detectives believe this is an isolated incident; no other suspects were discovered related to this criminal activity and no other victims are associated with this suspect.
In a coordinated detail on Monday at approximately 4:56 P.M., Effingham Police Officers took Cruz Ceba into custody in the 400th block of E. Washington without incident and transported him to Effingham County Jail. Cruz Ceba was booked on the following charges:
• Involuntary Sexual Servitude of a Minor; Class X Felony
• Trafficking in Persons – Involuntary Sexual Servitude of a Minor; Class 1 Felony
• Criminal Sexual Assault; Class 1 Felony
• Aggravated Domestic Battery; Class 2 Felony
• Interfering with the Reporting of Domestic Battery; Class A Misdemeanor
Cruz Ceba will have an initial court appearance on Wednesday, June 25 to determine eligibility for continued detention under the Pre-Trial Fairness Act.
