Illegal Immigrant Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child

INDIANAPOLIS- Carlos Fredy Granados, 35, an immigrant illegally residing in Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement of a minor, and possession of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

At the time Granados entered his guilty plea, he acknowledged that upon completion of his sentence, he will be subject to removal from the United States.

According to court documents, between at least May and August of 2023, Carlos Granados sexually exploited and abused a 15-year-old girl who was in his care, custody, and control. Granados engaged in sexual intercourse with Minor Victim 1 and sexually exploited her for the purpose of producing images and videos of the abuse.

On October 28, 2023, IMPD Officers responded to a report of child sexual abuse after a witness discovered nude images and videos of the minor on Granados' cell phone. Investigators searched Granados' cell phones and discovered 12 sexually explicit videos and 16 images of the child, including some alongside Granados. The images and videos were taken inside the shared home and at a hotel. Investigators also found sexually explicit messages between Granados and the victim, discussing a sexual relationship and exchanging sexually explicit material.

"Carlos Granados' crimes are among the most heinous we encounter, and his conviction underscores our commitment to removing the most violent and predatory illegal immigrants from our communities," said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana "Consistent with Attorney General Pam Bondi's Operation Restore Justice Initiative, we will continue to prioritize prosecutions that protect our children and uphold the rule of law."

"This sentence shows that child sexual predators will be held accountable and punished for their heinous crimes preying on innocent victims. The U.S. Secret Service is committed to protecting innocent victims from criminals who seek to sexually exploit them," said Ike Barnes, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service's Indianapolis Field Office. "Thank you to the Indianapolis Metro Police Department, Secret Service personnel and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana for their work on this case and bringing justice for this victim."

The U.S. Secret Service and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young.

U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.

This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood