PHILADELPHIA, PA — United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Harold Daleus, Jr., 49, of Bethlehem, PA, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge John M. Gallagher on Friday, August 2, 2024, for production of child pornography and related offenses.
Daleus engaged in a prolonged and depraved criminal scheme, wiring over $24,000 to child sex traffickers in the Philippines. This money paid for live transmissions of children being sexually abused at his direction.
Homeland Security Investigations seized Daleus’ electronic devices in December 2022. The investigation uncovered dozens of videos and images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of prepubescent children. Subsequently, Daleus was indicted in August 2023 and pleaded guilty to several charges: production of child pornography, use of the internet to entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
Coordinating with law enforcement in the Philippines, Homeland Security Investigations helped secure convictions against the child sex traffickers involved in this case.
“Harold Daleus paid for the ongoing sexual abuse of numerous children, providing explicit instructions for the vile acts that he wanted to watch in real time,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Whether they’re here at home or half a world away, we must protect our vulnerable young kids from exploitation by predators and traffickers. This sentence ensures accountability for Daleus and some measure of justice for those he victimized.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Nathan R. Abel added, “HSI’s global reach, cybercrime expertise, and dedication to protecting children in the U.S. and abroad has enabled us to bring this dangerous predator to justice. Our partnership with the tremendous prosecutors of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania continues to produce results for the American public and protect innocent children around the world.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Allentown Resident Office, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Priya T. De Souza and Tatum Wilson.
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