Gallardo Candelaria Indicted

A 32-year-old Kissimmee man, Angel Manuel Gallardo Candelaria, has been indicted for transportation of child sexual abuse material, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.

The indictment, returned by a grand jury, charges Gallardo Candelaria with knowingly transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce on or about July 8, 2025, within the Middle District of Florida and elsewhere.

If convicted, Gallardo Candelaria faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Gallardo Candelaria that the United States intends to forfeit a cellphone, which was used during the commission of the crime.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lyons.

This case was brought as 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. 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.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. The initiative has been instrumental in raising awareness about the issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse, and has led to the prosecution of numerous individuals involved in these heinous crimes.

The transportation of child sexual abuse material is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for the victims involved. It is a federal offense that carries significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines. The Department of Justice is committed to combating the spread of child sexual abuse material and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.