Colorado Man Sentenced to 210 Years for Sexually Abusing Children at Haiti Orphanage
- Victor Nwoko
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
A 73-year-old Colorado man, Michael Geilenfeld, has been sentenced to 210 years in federal prison for sexually abusing children over a span of decades at an orphanage he founded in Haiti. The former missionary was convicted in February of six counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place and one count of traveling in foreign commerce for the purpose of committing such acts, with each charge linked to separate child victims.
Geilenfeld established St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1985, presenting it as a sanctuary for orphaned, low-income, and at-risk boys. In reality, according to federal prosecutors, he used the institution as a cover to systematically exploit vulnerable children, sexually, physically, and emotionally abusing them under the guise of humanitarian work.
Evidence presented during the three-week trial in Miami detailed how Geilenfeld lured children into his orphanage with promises of education, shelter, and a better life. Instead, he subjected them to years of abuse. Between 2005 and 2010, Geilenfeld frequently traveled between the United States and Haiti to carry out his crimes. Ten victims testified at trial — six connected directly to the charges and four others listed by the Department of Justice as victims of abuse.
The courtroom fell silent as survivors delivered harrowing testimonies. One 24-year-old said, “This orphanage destroyed my childhood. There is no amount of love that can make me forget. The only thing that can make me forget is, I have to leave this earth. Only death.” Another victim, now 45, testified in Creole that corrupt officials and police shielded Geilenfeld, even attempting to arrest victims who sought justice through local media. “Four-hundred years will not be enough for what this monster did to kids,” he said.
Geilenfeld operated multiple orphanages and a facility for disabled individuals during his three-decade presence in Haiti, amassing charitable donations while concealing years of abuse. Victims described how Geilenfeld would use cookies, false affection, and even trips to the U.S. to groom and manipulate them. Several recounted feelings of guilt, shame, suicidal thoughts, and long-lasting psychological trauma.
Despite years of allegations in Haiti and a million-dollar civil lawsuit victory in Maine, Geilenfeld evaded criminal accountability until his recent arrest in Colorado. Federal authorities, including Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI, reopened the case, leading to his extradition to Miami where he was denied bond.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz delivered the maximum penalty allowable by law: 30 years for each of the seven convictions, totaling 210 years. He described Geilenfeld’s crimes as a profound betrayal of trust. “The defendant preyed upon some of the most vulnerable children in the world,” Leibowitz stated, before noting that Geilenfeld obstructed justice and lied under oath during the trial.
Even when given the opportunity to speak at his sentencing, Geilenfeld remained silent — a moment Judge Leibowitz said spoke volumes about the defendant’s character.
Geilenfeld's defense attorney, Raymond D’Arsey Houlihan III, argued for leniency citing the defendant’s age, health issues, and modest lifestyle in Colorado after returning from the Dominican Republic. The request was rejected. Houlihan indicated plans to appeal the conviction.
The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative targeting child sexual exploitation. “The defendant’s sustained sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of some of the most vulnerable children in the world is intolerable,” said DOJ Criminal Division Chief Matthew Galeotti. FBI Assistant Director Jose Perez added, “We are grateful to those victims who came forward to report their abuse.”
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