Michael Fazio, Possession of Child Pornography, New York 2025

A Long Island teacher has pleaded guilty to possessing unthinkable graphic images of child sexual abuse.

Michael Fazio, a 40-year-old music teacher at the W.T. Clarke Middle and High School in East Meadow, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in federal court in Central Islip.

The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury. When sentenced, Fazio faces up to 20 years' imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), announced the guilty plea.

'Fazio possessed unthinkable graphic images of child sexual abuse, all while employed in a position of trust as a middle and high school music teacher,' stated United States Attorney Nocella. 'Prosecuting those who victimize children by feeding the market for child pornography will always be a top priority of our Office and our law enforcement partners.'

Fazio admitted that he uploaded three images of child pornography to his Dropbox account in October 2024. A search of one of the defendant's cellphones revealed more than 700 additional images of child pornography.

This prosecution is 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.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/long-island-teacher-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography