Long Island Teacher Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Michael Fazio, a teacher at a middle and high school on Long Island, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury.  When sentenced, Fazio faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), announced the guilty plea.

“Fazio possessed unthinkable graphic images of child sexual abuse, all while employed in a position of trust as a middle and high school music teacher,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Prosecuting those who victimize children by feeding the market for child pornography will always be a top priority of our Office and our law enforcement partners.”

As set forth in court filings and statements, Fazio, a music teacher at the W.T. Clarke Middle and High School in East Meadow, possessed hundreds of images of child pornography in his Dropbox account and cellphone.  During the execution of a search warrant at his residence in April 2025, Fazio admitted that he uploaded three images of child pornography to his Dropbox account in October 2024.  A search of one of the defendant’s cellphones revealed more than 700 additional images of child pornography.  Another cellphone belonging to the defendant contained a “Hidden Pictures” folder, which he used to store adult pornographic images as well as images and videos of some of Fazio’s students that he surreptitiously recorded during music instruction.   

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Bradley T. King is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

MICHAEL FAZIO
Age:  40
Bellmore, Long Island

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-206 (NJC)