Michael Geilenfeld, a 73-year-old man from Colorado, has been sentenced to 210 years in federal prison for sexually abusing children at an orphanage he founded in Haiti. He established St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in 1985 to help orphaned and vulnerable children.
During his trial, six victims bravely shared their stories, detailing the severe sexual and physical abuse they suffered while in Geilenfeld’s care. Now adults, these survivors spoke about the lasting impact of the abuse on their lives.
Matthew Galeotti, from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, emphasized the severity of Geilenfeld’s actions, stating that the abuse of such vulnerable children is unacceptable.
While more victims were identified during the trial, Geilenfeld was charged only for the abuse of the six who testified. He was arrested in January 2024 and found guilty by a jury in February 2025 on multiple counts of illicit sexual conduct.
Jose A. Perez, from the FBI, praised the courage of the survivors and the hard work of investigators in bringing Geilenfeld to justice. He highlighted how Geilenfeld exploited his position of trust under the guise of humanitarian efforts.
Geilenfeld had operated multiple orphanages in Haiti and even opened one in the Dominican Republic. One accuser, Paul Kendrick, noted that while the conviction doesn’t erase the victims’ pain, it does provide them with a sense of dignity.
