Albuquerque Pediatric Surgeon Facing Federal Child Pornography Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque, N.M., pediatric surgeon Guy Rosenschein, 63, made his initial appearance today in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with possession and distribution of child pornography.  Rosenschein remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, which are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 14, 2016.

The criminal complaint alleges that Rosenschein possessed and distributed child pornography on Nov. 8, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M.  According to the complaint, the investigation into Rosenschein was initiated in July 2016, when the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) identified a computer with an IP address, later determined to be subscribed to Rosenschein that allegedly was used to distribute child pornography.  The complaint alleges that, on Nov. 8, 2016, a search warrant was executed at Rosenschein’s residence, and BCSO officers and detectives found that Rosenschein possessed a thumb drive containing child pornography.  Rosenschein was arrested that day on related state charges.

If convicted of the distribution of child pornography charge, Rosenschein faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years and maximum of 20 years in federal prison.  If convicted on the possession charge, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the BCSO.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathon M. Gerson is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc/.