Samuel Gonzalez, a former teacher at an acting school in New York City, has been arrested and charged with distributing and possessing child pornography, including videos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia announced the arrest today, revealing the disturbing nature of Gonzalez’s alleged actions.
Gonzalez, 31, from Brooklyn, New York, faces serious federal charges following an investigation that uncovered his involvement in sharing over 1,500 files of child pornography with a federal agent in an undercover capacity between January and April 2023. Federal agents later executed a search warrant at Gonzalez’s apartment in June 2023, where they seized and searched his phone and laptop, finding more than 80 unique files of child pornography. These files included images and videos of infants and prepubescent children, some of whom had not yet turned 12 years old.
U.S. Attorney Clayton condemned the alleged actions, stating, “The lasting scars from the horrific abuse of children are deeply troubling to all New Yorkers. Together with our partners, we will relentlessly pursue those who victimize children and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Assistant Director Raia added, “Gonzalez’s alleged actions grossly disregarded the welfare of the victims and repeatedly violated their privacy by sharing this twisted material. The FBI is committed to preventing crimes against children and apprehending those who distribute these explicit images.”
Gonzalez is charged with one count of distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years. He also faces one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress, though the actual sentence will be determined by a judge.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the FBI/New York City Police Department Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Cheng and Diarra M. Guthrie of the General Crimes Unit.
This arrest highlights the ongoing commitment by law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute those involved in the exploitation and abuse of children.
