Connecticut Man Charged With Production Of Child Pornography

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced the filing of a Complaint charging BRYAN CRUZ SOLANO with sexual exploitation of a minor. CRUZ SOLANO was arrested on Saturday, May 9, 2026, presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo in Manhattan federal court and ordered detained pending trial by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas on May 12, 2026.

"As alleged, Bryan Cruz Solano sexually abused a 12-year-old child and, even more disgusting, recorded that abuse in order to trade it for other child pornography," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "We have heard it clear and strong from all New Yorkers, particularly New York families: Use all available resources to get sexual predators off our streets. And New Yorkers should know, predators often act with others, using the "dark web" and cryptocurrency services that offer anonymity. We are committed to destroying these child sexual abuse networks. Help us if you can. Be vigilant. There may be additional victims in this case. If you have information to report about this or any other matter of child sexual abuse, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov."

As alleged in the Complaint:[1]

On or about May 1, 2026, an individual ("Witness-1") reported to New York State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") that CRUZ SOLANO had sent child pornography to Witness-1, including videos depicting CRUZ SOLANO engaging in sexual acts with a minor ("Victim-1").

A video was recovered from Witness-1's cellphone depicting a recording of a video on another device depicting a prepubescent female's hands stroking the erect penis of an adult male ("Video-1"). At the end of the recording, the video transitions to an electronic messaging conversation on Snapchat, which includes, in substance and in part, the account name "lil_cruzyyyy." CRUZ SOLANO later admitted that the Snapchat account was his.

Law enforcement acted to address the possibility of potentially ongoing harm to Victim-1 and assumed control of Witness-1's Telegram account to begin communicating directly with CRUZ SOLANO. From May 4 to May 8, 2026, law enforcement engaged in multiple discussions with CRUZ SOLANO over Telegram, during which CRUZ SOLANO stated, among other things, that he had "new stuff" of himself and Victim-1 that he wanted to "trade," that he would not send content without first receiving child pornography from Witness-1, and that Witness-1 should "make sure to sen[d] babies."

On May 8, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant at CRUZ SOLANO's residence. Officers obtained a cellphone from CRUZ SOLANO, which included, among other things, video recordings of child pornography involving Victim-1, including acts performed by Victim-1 at CRUZ SOLANO's direction.

During an interview, CRUZ SOLANO admitted that he had engaged in sexual acts with Victim-1 on approximately 25 occasions in the past year, including at least as recently as two to three weeks ago. CRUZ SOLANO indicated that he had recorded these acts on at least approximately five occasions, while in Middletown, New York, and sent them to Witness-1. Further, on approximately 20 occasions, CRUZ SOLANO made FaceTime video calls to Witness-1 while engaging in sex acts with Victim-1. CRUZ SOLANO told law enforcement that he secured Victim-1's cooperation by enticing Victim-1 with gifts.

There may be other victims. If you have information to report, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov.

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CRUZ SOLANO, 20, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

The statutory maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the efforts of the FBI New York Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the FBI New Haven Child Exploitation Task Force, the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit, the Orange County Child Abuse Unit, the Orange County Child Advocacy Center, and the Hartford Police Department.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office's White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony P. Ferrara is in charge of the prosecution.