A Colorado man was sentenced to 210 years in jail on Friday for sexually abusing quite a few kids on the Haitian orphanage he based.
In response to courtroom paperwork and proof introduced at trial, Michael Karl Geilenfeld, 73, most not too long ago of Littleton, based St. Joseph’s Residence for Boys — a house for orphaned, impoverished, and in any other case susceptible kids in Haiti — in 1985 and operated it for greater than 20 years. Throughout this time, Geilenfeld repeatedly traveled from america to Haiti, the place he sexually abused the boys entrusted to his care. He additionally bodily and emotionally abused the youngsters within the residence, together with via bodily assault and different types of punishment.
In February 2025, a federal jury convicted Michael Karl Geilenfeld on one rely of touring in international commerce with the intent to have interaction in illicit sexual conduct, and 6 counts of partaking in illicit sexual conduct in a international place between 2005 and 2010. Every of the six counts concerned a distinct sufferer, all of whom had been kids on the time the offenses occurred.
Through the trial, the six victims testified concerning the sexual abuse they endured at Geilenfeld’s fingers and the lasting trauma it prompted. Further victims — now adults and never included within the charged offenses — additionally got here ahead to share related experiences. Testimony from each victims and witnesses revealed not solely the sample of sexual abuse but in addition bodily violence and psychological manipulation Geilenfeld used to regulate the youngsters and keep help for his group.
“The defendant’s sustained sexual, bodily, and emotional abuse of a few of the most susceptible kids on the planet is insupportable,” mentioned Matthew Galeotti, Head of the Justice Division’s Prison Division. “This prosecution demonstrates the Division’s dedication to securing justice for kids harmed by criminals who journey overseas from america to commit their crimes. We thank our companions for working with us to make sure that the defendant can by no means hurt one other baby.”
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“This sentencing marks the top of a case constructed on the braveness of survivors and the dedication of investigators,” mentioned Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Prison Investigative Division. “For many years, Geilenfeld used his place of belief and entry to use susceptible kids beneath the guise of humanitarian work. We’re grateful to these victims who got here ahead to report their abuse. The FBI is dedicated to pursuing those that commit crimes in opposition to kids, regardless of the place they happen or how way back they had been dedicated.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) and the FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Jessica L. City and Eduardo Palomo of the Prison Division’s Youngster Exploitation and Obscenity Part (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Lawyer Lacee Monk for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
