NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced today that MICHAEL CUSIMANO (“CUSIMANO”), age 59, of Harvey, Louisiana, was charged by bill of information on July 9, 2026, with Possession of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). If convicted, CUSIMANO faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten (10) years and a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00, a term of supervised release of no less than five (5) years and up to life, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to court documents, beginning at an unknown time and until on or about May 27, 2026, CUSIMANO possessed, and attempted to possess, images and videos of pre-pubescent child pornography. CUSIMANO’s home was searched by state law enforcement officials and federal agents on May 27, 2026. CUSIMANO was arrested by federal agents during the execution of the search warrant after finding him in possession of electronic devices and media containing the sexual abuse of prepubescent children. 

U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey N. Knight of the Financial Crimes Unit.

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