BURBANK, Calif. — A 30-year-old man from Valley Village has been arrested on suspicion of sexually exploiting underage girls, using Instagram to lure them with promises of free drugs and alcohol, the Burbank Police Department announced Thursday.
Ivan Hernandez was taken into custody on March 23 after officers responded to a call about suspected drug activity and found him inside a car with an underage girl.
Investigators say Hernandez had allegedly been offering nitrous oxide (also known as “whippets”), marijuana, and alcohol to minors in exchange for sexual acts. He reportedly used Instagram to locate his victims and is suspected of recording the encounters on his phone.
Hernandez operated under several Instagram usernames, including:
noznbars
n2ohead
nawzhead818
nozzhead_818
nozzhead818_
Following the arrest, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple felony charges against him on March 25, including:
3 counts of unlawful sex with a minor under 16
2 counts of arranging to meet with a minor for lewd purposes
1 count of child endangerment
1 count of oral copulation of a minor under 16
1 count of lewd acts with a minor aged 14 or 15
1 count of possession of child sexual abuse material
Hernandez is currently being held without bail and is awaiting a court appearance.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Burbank Police Department.
