Former Houston-area sheriff’s deputy arrested on charges of producing child pornography

HOUSTON — A former Harris County (Texas) deputy sheriff was taken into federal custody Thursday on charges of producing child pornography.

This arrest was announced by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted this investigation.

Andrew Craig Sustaita, 30, of Spring, Texas, was indicted by a federal grand jury Feb. 1 on charges of producing child pornography. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo Feb. 10.

If convicted, Sustaita faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 and up to 30 years for producing child pornography. The crime is also punishable by a $250,000 maximum possible fine. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, Sustaita could also face up to life on supervised release during which the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children and prohibit the use of the internet. Sustaita would also be required to register as a sex offender upon conviction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Zack, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting this case.

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.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.