Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting Children and Possessing Child Pornography

 Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Orlando Lopez pleaded guilty to nine counts of child exploitation and one count of possession of child pornography.  The proceeding took place before United States District Judge Eric R. Komitee.  When sentenced, Lopez faces up to 50 years’ imprisonment on each count of production of child pornography, as well as forfeiture, restitution and a fine.

Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the guilty plea.

“With today’s guilty plea, the defendant admits to preying on vulnerable young children for the cruel purpose of sexually exploiting them, and he also admits to possessing thousands of pornographic videos and photographs depicting his depraved acts of sexual abuse.” stated Acting United States Attorney Kasulis.  “While the defendant’s admission of guilt cannot undo the terrible harm he has inflicted, it does provide assurance that this Office and its law enforcement partners remain steadfast in their commitment to prosecuting dangerous predators like the defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”

Ms. Kasulis expressed her grateful appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, the New York City Police Department and the Queens County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance with the case.

According to court filings and admissions made in court at the time he entered his plea, Lopez created child pornography by sexually abusing children and taking photographs and videos of the abuse.  Many of the children Lopez targeted lived with their families near Lopez’s residence in Queens and were between the ages of two and 10 years old when he sexually abused them.  In order to gain access to his victims, Lopez attempted to befriend their parents.  Law enforcement recovered thousands of photos and videos from Lopez’s residence depicting him engaging in sexual activity with children.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tanya Hajjar.

The Defendant:

ORLANDO LOPEZ
Age:  66
Jamaica, Queens

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-52 (EK)