Peter Fajardo, Receiving and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material, Florida 2024

Tampa, FL - In a disturbing case of child exploitation, a Clearwater man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Peter Fajardo, 52, of Clearwater, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. to 12 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Fajardo to pay restitution to the victims of the offense.

Fajardo entered a guilty plea on January 4, 2024.

As reported by the FBI, on seven occasions in 2022, agents downloaded multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse material associated with a computer in Fajardo’s home. A search warrant executed at Fajardo’s home in 2023 revealed more than 2,500 images and over 100 videos of child sexual abuse material.

Furthermore, agents found multiple videos filmed by Fajardo where he rubbed and played with the feet of a 10-year-old girl. Fajardo explained to agents that he has a “foot fetish” and a “sexual fascination” with feet.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Orlando Resident Agency with assistance from the Lakeland Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit.

Unfortunately, this is just another case 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. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.

Peter Fajardo, exact criminal charges: Receiving and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material, City and state: Clearwater, Florida, EXACT DATE: January 4, 2024, Sentence or outcome: 12 years in federal prison, and ordered to pay restitution to the victims of the offense.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/clearwater-man-sentenced-12-years-prison-receiving-and-possessing-child-sexual-abuse