A federal jury in Miami has convicted Osvaldo Daniel Fernandez, a 61-year-old Argentine national, on two counts of production and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The verdict was reached on September 10.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Fernandez sexually abused two minors and recorded the acts. Law enforcement began investigating the case in May 2022 after reports of abuse involving two minor victims. Investigators found that one victim, referred to as Minor 1, was abused between ages nine and seventeen, while another, Minor 2, was abused from age six to fifteen. During the investigation, Minor 1 revealed that Fernandez had documented the abuse.
A search at Fernandez’s home led authorities to seize several cellphones and a laptop. The laptop contained over 500 explicit images and videos of Minor 1 taken when the victim was between nine and seventeen years old. It also included several images and videos of Minor 2 at age nine. Additionally, more than 900 images depicting other pre-pubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct were discovered.
Fernandez is scheduled for sentencing on December 11. He faces up to thirty years in prison for each production count and up to twenty years for possession. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
“Crimes against children are the most vile and unforgivable," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "Fernandez robbed these victims of their innocence and dignity, and then sought to immortalize their pain. That cruelty will now be met with justice. The Southern District of Florida will relentlessly pursue predators who exploit children and will ensure they face the full weight of the law. No sanctuary, no excuse, and no escape—those who prey on children will be hunted down and held to account.”
Following sentencing, Fernandez is subject to deportation.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones along with Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles from FBI Miami Field Office.
The FBI Miami office investigated this case with significant support from the Miami Beach Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elena Smukler and Audrey Pence Tomanelli are prosecuting.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to combat child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies targeting online offenders as well as identifying victims (more information available at www.justice.gov/psc).
Court documents related to this case can be accessed via www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-20406.
