Former Middle School Teacher Sentenced To Over 12 Years For Receipt Of Child Pornography

Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Paul G. Byron yesterday sentenced Andres Fernando Cabezas (34, Leesburg) to 12 years in federal prison and 20 years of supervised release for receipt of child pornography. The Court also ordered him to forfeit a cell phone that had been used in connection with the offense.

Cabezas pleaded guilty on October 18, 2017. 

According to court documents, on or about May 8, 2017, Cabezas retrieved and viewed a video known as “Daisy’s Destruction” via the Dark web, which depicts a female toddler (approximately 18 months old) being severely whipped, burnt, and sexually abused by a young female. The investigation also revealed that Cabezas had engaged in text communications with an undercover agent posing as a 12-year-old female. In those communications, Cabezas attempted to groom the “minor” and persuade her to have oral and vaginal sex with him. He also bought an emergency contraceptive pill for the “minor.” 

After Cabezas’ arrest, he admitted to being attracted to girls approximately 12 years old since he was that age. Cabezas was a teacher at Carver Middle School in Leesburg, Florida.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.