Michael Karl Geilenfeld, a 73-year-old man from Colorado, has been sentenced to 210 years in prison for his extensive sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of children at a Haitian orphanage he founded in 1985, St. Joseph’s Home for Boys. He was convicted on multiple federal charges, including traveling abroad with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and he was found guilty of abusing six separate victims between 2005 and 2010.
Geilenfeld was arrested in January 2024 and convicted in February 2024, following testimony from his victims who are now adults, as well as additional former child victims who were not directly involved in the charges. The Department of Justice revealed that Geilenfeld exploited his position of trust, manipulating his access to vulnerable children under the pretense of humanitarian work. He frequently traveled back and forth between the U.S. and Haiti, using his authority to perpetrate abuse while also manipulating financial support for his orphanage.
Testimonies during the trial revealed harrowing accounts of abuse, including one victim detailing how Geilenfeld lured him under the guise of learning a prayer, only to sexually assault him. Additionally, the FBI noted the significance of the victims’ testimonies in bringing Geilenfeld to justice, stressing their courage in speaking out against prolonged abuse.
Prosecutors and the Justice Department condemned Geilenfeld’s actions as intolerable, highlighting the need for continued efforts to protect vulnerable children from such heinous offenses. Geilenfeld’s case underscores the dangers present in environments meant to care for and protect minors, emphasizing a broader commitment to prosecuting crimes against children regardless of when they occur.
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