News Releases

Former school administrator sentenced to 60 years on child exploitation charges
Filmed minor family member

DETROIT - A 64-year-old man, who filmed his four-year-old relative as the subject of child pornography, was sentenced in federal court April 15 to 60 years in federal prison. Craig Aleo, from Davisburg, Mich., pleaded guilty to production, transportation and possession of child pornography in January.

U. S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade and Special Agent in Charge of ICE's Office of Investigation in Detroit Brian Moskowitz announced the sentencing.

The information presented in court during the pleas hearing showed that on March 26, 2009, the defendant, en route to New York via Canada, was found in possession of a computer containing a portion of his child pornography collection. A warrant served at Aleo's home revealed a collection of sexually explicit video footage the defendant filmed of his relative.

"Today's sentencing sends a strong message to anyone who would even consider exploiting children in this manner," said Moskowitz. "People who create and possess child pornography are truly putting our children at risk - we're talking about images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in horrific ways. We will continue to work closely with our local law enforcement partners to seek justice for those who perpetrate these despicable crimes."

This investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.