David X. Sullivan, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, announced the arrest of Carlos Inesti from West Haven on federal charges related to child exploitation.
Court documents indicate that in April 2025, the FBI arrested an individual in Utah for possessing child pornography. An analysis of a seized cell phone uncovered videos showing an adult male identified as Inesti engaged in explicit conduct with a toddler-aged girl. The investigation revealed that Inesti recorded these videos and shared them via Telegram.
Inesti appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven and was released on a $100,000 bond with home detention and location monitoring. He is barred from internet access and contact with minors.
The complaint charges Inesti with sexual exploitation of children, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to a maximum of 30 years imprisonment. Additionally, he faces charges for distributing child pornography, which carries a minimum sentence of five years up to 20 years imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan emphasized that "a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt." He added that "charges are only allegations" and highlighted that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation involves the FBI’s New Haven and Salt Lake City Field Offices with support from the West Haven Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood by the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, visit www.cybertipline.com.
