A Colorado man who founded a Haitian orphanage in the 1980s has been sentenced to 210 years in federal prison for sexually, physically, and emotionally abusing children in his care over several years.
Michael Karl Geilenfeld, 73, of Littleton, was convicted of seven federal counts related to child sexual abuse at the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Haiti. He was arrested in January 2024 and found guilty by a federal jury in February.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the sentencing on Thursday, describing Geilenfeld’s actions as a long-term abuse of power under the guise of humanitarian work.
Convictions Involving Multiple Child Victims
Geilenfeld was convicted of:
-
One count of traveling in foreign commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct
-
Six counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country
Each of the six counts corresponds to a separate child victim who lived at the orphanage between 2005 and 2010. All six, now adults, gave testimony at trial. Additional survivors who were not part of the formal charges also shared their experiences during proceedings.
“For decades, Geilenfeld used his position of trust and access to exploit vulnerable children under the guise of humanitarian work,” said FBI Assistant Director Jose A. Perez. “We are grateful to the victims who bravely came forward. The FBI remains committed to pursuing child exploitation cases, no matter how long ago they occurred or where they took place.”
History of Abuse at the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys
Geilenfeld established the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1985. He operated the facility for more than two decades, during which he regularly traveled between the U.S. and Haiti, according to federal prosecutors.
While in Haiti, Geilenfeld:
-
Sexually abused children housed in the orphanage
-
Subjected them to physical assaults and psychological manipulation
-
Used fear, loyalty tactics, and financial dependency to maintain control over the institution and suppress allegations
“The defendant’s sustained sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of some of the most vulnerable children in the world is intolerable,” said Matthew Galeotti, Chief of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Legal Representation and Response
USA TODAY reached out to attorneys listed as Geilenfeld’s legal representatives for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
