A former Harris County deputy sheriff has been taken into federal custody on charges of production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
Andrew Craig Sustaita, a 30-year-old man residing in Spring, was arrested on federal charges of production of child pornography. The former deputy was previously employed at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office but is no longer on the job.
A federal grand jury indicted Sustaita on February 1, 2017, on charges of production of child pornography. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.
If convicted, Sustaita faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years for producing child pornography. He could also face a $250,000 maximum possible fine. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, Sustaita could also face up to life on supervised release during which the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect the children and prohibit the use of the Internet.
Sustaita would also be required to register as a sex offender upon conviction. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Zack is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
It is essential to note that an indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Andrew Craig Sustaita, Child Pornography Production, TX 2024 · Illinois
- Jimmy Gordon, Production of Child Pornography, Texas 2023 · Illinois
- Trevion Lechay Ethridge, Production of Child Pornography, Beaumont … · Texas
- Matthew Anthony Keller, Production of Child Pornography, Fort Worth… · Virginia
- Joshua Vandegrift, Production of Child Pornography, NY, 2023 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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