Michael Geilenfeld, at 73, chose to go to trial rather than accept a plea offer related to charges of sexually abusing boys at his Haitian orphanage. He was convicted by a jury of multiple counts of illicit sexual contact with minors after a trial that featured testimonials from six accusers who recounted disturbing incidents. Geilenfeld faces a potential 180 years in prison at sentencing, set for May 5. The case raises serious concerns about the safety and protection of children in orphanages and the accountability of caregivers.
Geilenfeld faced six of his accusers on the witness stand over the three-week trial. The government opened with the testimony of a young man who had lived at St. Joseph's Home for Boys.
The 12-person jury found Geilenfeld guilty, after deliberating for only five hours on Thursday, of six counts of engaging in illicit sexual contact with minors in a foreign place.
Before trial started with jury selection in early February, prosecutors told Judge Leibowitz that they made a plea offer to Geilenfeld but he rejected it.
He faces up to 30 years in prison on each of the charges at his May 5 sentencing before U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz.
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