Fort Payne Man Sentenced in Child Sex Sting

Ricardo Carrillo-Becerra pleaded guilty to traveling to meet a child for sex and was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:51am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the swift action taken by law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute those who seek to exploit children.A harsh flash photograph of handcuffs symbolizes the swift action taken by law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute those who seek to exploit children.Albertville Today

A 38-year-old Fort Payne man named Ricardo Carrillo-Becerra has been sentenced to 4 years in prison after pleading guilty to traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. The conviction stems from a sting operation conducted by local law enforcement agencies in partnership with the Covenant Rescue Group.

Why it matters

Crimes involving the exploitation of minors remain a top priority for prosecutors, and this case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to proactively identify and apprehend individuals seeking to sexually abuse children.

The details

Carrillo-Becerra communicated with an individual he believed to be a 15-year-old girl and agreed to meet her for sexual acts in exchange for money. He made a full confession at the time of his arrest. The sting operation was a collaborative effort between the Albertville Police Department, Covenant Rescue Group, Marshall County Sheriff's Office, and Marshall County Drug Unit.

  • On December 8, 2025, Carrillo-Becerra entered a blind guilty plea to the charges.

The players

Ricardo Carrillo-Becerra

A 38-year-old man from Fort Payne, Alabama who pleaded guilty to traveling to meet a child for sex.

Jennifer Bray

The District Attorney who prosecuted the case, emphasizing that crimes involving the exploitation of children remain a top priority.

Matt Elliott

The Circuit Judge who sentenced Carrillo-Becerra to 4 years in prison, followed by probation.

Albertville Police Department

The law enforcement agency that conducted the sting operation in partnership with other local agencies.

Covenant Rescue Group

The non-profit organization that collaborated with law enforcement on the sting operation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Cases involving the exploitation of children remain a top priority and we praise the coordinated efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in this operation.”

— Jennifer Bray, District Attorney

What’s next

The judge's sentence of 4 years in prison followed by probation will now go into effect.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the ongoing vigilance of law enforcement and prosecutors in combating the sexual exploitation of minors, and the serious consequences faced by those who seek to abuse children.