A Miami jury has convicted Haiti orphanage founder Michael Geilenfeld on six counts of foreign child sexual abuse and one travel-related felony, capping a nine-year investigation into atrocities at his Port-au-Prince facility. The 73-year-old now faces up to 30 years per charge at his May 5 sentencing, potentially ending his freedom for crimes spanning 2005-2010.
Six Haitian survivors – aged 9-13 during their abuse – delivered wrenching testimony about exploitation at Geilenfeld’s St. Joseph’s Home for Boys. Now in their 20s, the men described systemic predation under the guise of religious charity work.
This conviction confirms our commitment to prosecute child predators operating abroad under U.S. law,a DOJ spokesperson stated post-verdict.
Key case details include:
- Operated multiple orphanages in Haiti/Dominican Republic from 1985-2014
- Closed St. Joseph’s Home in 2014 amid abuse claims
- Used Miami as transit hub to facilitate crimes
Despite pleading not guilty, Geilenfeld’s defense failed to counter forensic timelines showing his near-daily access to victims. Prosecutors emphasized how his nonprofit status enabled unrestricted contact with vulnerable children.
Pending Haitian abuse charges complicate Geilenfeld’s legal peril, though U.S. prosecutors prioritized his Miami-based travel violations under the PROTECT Act. Experts note this case expands precedent for trying foreign child abuse cases domestically when offenders use American infrastructure.