Ex-Deputy Guilty Of Child Porn Charges

HOUSTON – A former Harris County Sheriff's deputy pleaded guilty plea to production and possession of child pornography on Federal Court.

Andrew Craig Sustaita, of Spring, entered his guilty plea on March 15, and faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child (production of child pornography) as well as another 10-year-maximum sentence for possessing child pornography, and a $250,000 maximum possible fine.

A federal grand jury indicted Sustaita Feb. 1, 2017, on charges of possession and production of child pornography.

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He appeared in court shortly thereafter, at which time the court found him to be a danger to the community and a risk of flight and ordered him into custody.

READ: Harris County DA Files Charges Against Sheriff's Deputy Accused of Possessing Child Pornography

As part of his plea, Sustaita admitted he posted child erotica images to a known child pornography website and had commented on other similar images on that same site.

The investigation led to Sustaita whose online presence included a pay-to-play bestiality website.

The court heard that one video Sustaita produced included a known young girl showering, and other images contain Sustaita’s genitalia placed on or near the identified young female victim’s head while she appears to be sleeping, and others that include Sustaita attempting to expose that child’s genitalia.

Further investigation led to the discovery of the identified victim’s images on a computer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Sustaita admitted he had distributed the images via the internet.

Once Sustaita completes his sentence, he could face life on supervised release, prohibited fro using theInternet and required to register as a sex ofender.

Sustaita remains in federal custody and is scheduled for sentencing on June 6 , 2018.

Image: Harris County Sheriff's Office

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