Phoenix, Arizona - A Glendale man charged with multiple counts of child sexual exploitation was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release, following an investigation lead by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Phillip Carnevale, 56, was convicted in state court of 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in an investigation lead by HSI that began three years ago. After receiving a tip in August 2013, HSI special agents determined the defendant had emailed more than 70 images of child sexual abuse to numerous individuals.
During the execution of a state search warrant in the case, investigators recovered thousands of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on devices belonging to Carnevale. In subsequent interviews with HSI special agents, Carnevale admitted collecting images and videos of children being sexually abused for more than 10 years. Moreover, HSI recovered emails written by Carnevale in which he discussed with other likeminded individuals his fantasy to kidnap children as young as 3 and hide them in an underground bunker to repeatedly sexually abuse them.
“This lengthy sentence is a gratifying outcome for the HSI special agents who work tirelessly to identify child sexual predators and bring them to justice,” said Louie Garcia, acting special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “We know that criminals who distribute pornographic images of children often fuel the behavior of like-minded individuals who covet this despicable content. Tragically, these individuals’ actions often leave their innocent, young victims with permanent physical and emotional scars.”
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 14,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.