Ex-Deputy Sentenced To 27 Years In Prison For Child Porn

HOUSTON, TX – A former Harris County Sheriff's deputy has been ordered to federal prison for more than 27 years on charges of production and possession of child pornography.

Andrew Craig Sustaita, 31, of Spring, pleaded guilty to the charges on March 15.

He was previously employed as a Harris County deputy sheriff at the time of the offense and was immediately relieved of his duties.

The court heard additional information, including a victim impact statement presented by the victim’s mother.

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She detailed how Sustaita’s acts have victimized her daughter, family, and friends, and that what has happened to them encompasses the true meaning of the term evil.

At the time of his arrest, Sustaita's personal computer was confiscated and investigators discovered more than 200 images and videos that are regarded as child pornography, according to court documents.

The investigation led to Sustaita whose online presence included a pay-to-play bestiality website. Further information presented to the court included discussions of the amount and types of images authorities have discovered on two devices attributable to Sustaita.

Other images contain Sustaita’s genitalia placed on or near the young female victim’s head while she appears to be sleeping and others that include Sustaita attempting to expose the child’s genitalia.

Further investigation led to the discovery of the victim’s images on a computer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Investigators found that Sustaita had distributed the images via the internet.

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

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

At the time 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.

In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake said that this was one of the most disturbing cases over which he had presided.

Sustaita will serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet.

He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

RELATED:

• Harris County DA Files Charges Against Sheriff's Deputy Accused of Possessing Child Pornography
• Ex-Deputy Guilty Of Child Porn Charges

Image: HCSO

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