In a shocking case of child abuse, Michael Cardwell, a 40-year-old man from Rensselaer County, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The case dates back to 2023 and early 2024, when Cardwell, according to court documents, sexually abused an approximately 7-year-old girl over a period of months. He also created sexually explicit images of the victim and had a collection of approximately 1,000 CSAM files that he obtained on the internet.
Cardwell’s sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, includes 30 years in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release. He will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and pay $30,000 in restitution to the victims.
The FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the New York State Police, and the Troy Police Department investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
Cardwell’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the severity of child exploitation crimes and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. The case also highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies to combat these crimes.
As part of his guilty plea, Cardwell admitted to the charges of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of CSAM. The exact date of the crime was not specified in the press release, but it is believed to have occurred in 2023 and early 2024.
Defendant: Michael Cardwell
Criminal Charges: Sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
City and State: Albany, New York
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence: 30 years in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release
Dollar Amounts: $30,000 in restitution to the victims
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Secchiaroli, Child Pornography Possession, New York 2015 · New York
- Andrew Michael Dubois, Child Exploitation, New York 2024 · New York
- Chad Swartwood, Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child, New York 2024 · Kentucky
- Robert Hadden, Sexual Abuse of Patients, New York NY, 2023 · Kentucky
- Joshua Butler, Child Pornography Possession, New York 2024 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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