AG Secures 22-Year Prison Sentence for Snapchat CSAM Predator

FL Attorney General News Releases

Published April 7th, 2026

Detected April 8th, 2026

Summary

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 22-year prison sentence for Miguel Giraldo, 20, of Kissimmee, after his conviction on 20 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The defendant was arrested following a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding CSAM uploaded to Snapchat, and forensic examination of his phone revealed additional files depicting abuse of children as young as two years old.

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What changed

Florida AG announced a 22-year prison sentence for Miguel Giraldo following his conviction on 20 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The investigation began September 4, 2024 when FDLE received a cyber tip from NCMEC that Giraldo was uploading CSAM via Snapchat. Despite defense arguments for a reduced sentence as a youthful offender, the court imposed the maximum sentence.

This case demonstrates continued aggressive enforcement by Florida authorities against CSAM possession and distribution. The successful prosecution and refusal to grant downward departure signals Florida's commitment to maximum penalties in child exploitation cases. Social media platforms remain a key vector for CSAM distribution, and this case highlights the role of federal-state coordination through NCMEC cyber tips.

What to do next

Monitor for updates

Penalties

22-year prison sentence in Florida Department of Corrections; court rejected defense request for downward departure based on youthful offender status.

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General James Uthmeier Secures 22-Year Prison Sentence for Central Florida Snapchat Predator

View PDF Release Date Apr 7, 2026 Contact Communications Phone (850) 245-0150 TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 22-year prison sentence for Miguel Giraldo, 20, of Kissimmee, after he was convicted on 20 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM).

“In Florida, child predators will be caught and held accountable every single time,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “This multi-decade sentence is what this predator deserved, and we are glad the Court refused to grant a downward departure on his sentence. I am grateful to Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Lauryn Day for ensuring this vile predator is off the streets and away from our kids.”

This investigation was launched on September 4, 2024, when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Giraldo was uploading CSAM to his Snapchat account.

Giraldo admitted to sending CSAM via his Snapchat account, and further forensic extraction of his cell phone led investigators to find additional files depicting the sexual abuse of children, including some as young as two years old. Giraldo was subsequently arrested.

The sentencing hearing involved testimony of defense doctors, family members, and the FDLE case agent after a plea to the bench. Despite Giraldo’s defense team attempting to argue for a lesser sentence due to Giraldo being a “youthful offender,” the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured the 22-year prison sentence.

Giraldo will serve out his sentence in the Florida Department of Corrections.

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