An Orlando man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing an infant will spend more than 20 years behind bars.
On Wednesday, November 20, U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron sentenced 22-year-old Leonardo Marino to 22 years in federal prison for producing child sex abuse images. He had entered a guilty plea in April.
According to court documents, an investigation was initiated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations – Orlando, after a witness reportedly received messages from Marino on social media that included videos of him sexually abusing an infant at his home.
A search warrant for Marino’s home and electronic devices was secured and executed by law enforcement. During that search, investigators identified the room and other items that had been captured in the videos, which depicted Marino’s sexual abuse of the infant.
A forensic examination of items seized from the room revealed a match to Marino’s DNA profile. In addition, a smartphone belonging to Marino was searched, and investigators determined from the device that Marino was the user of the social media account that had sent the child sex abuse videos.
Marino had also attempted to block the witness that he had messaged on social media.
Homeland Security Investigations Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti stated that Marino’s conviction and 22-year prison sentence “sends a clear message to those who exploit and harm the most vulnerable in our community—you will be held accountable for your actions.”
This case was investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations – Orlando, Winter Park Police Department, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Sartoian.
Additionally, it is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, which is a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.