DOJ: Former Army Civilian Employee Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Children
Summary
A former U.S. Army civilian employee, Thelmo Meneses Santos Jr., has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing two minors in Japan between 2015 and 2023. The sentence also includes 10 years of supervised release and restitution to the victims.
What changed
The Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Thelmo Meneses Santos Jr. to 15 years in prison for the sexual abuse of two minors in Japan while he was employed as a civilian by the U.S. Army. The abuse occurred between 2015 and 2023, with Santos admitting to engaging in sexual acts with the victims when they were 11 years old. He also attempted to influence one of the victims to recant her report.
This enforcement action highlights the DOJ's commitment to prosecuting crimes against children, even when committed by U.S. government employees abroad. Regulated entities, particularly those with employees stationed overseas or working with vulnerable populations, should review their internal controls and background check procedures to prevent similar incidents. Compliance officers should ensure awareness of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) requirements, including registration in place of residence, employment, and study.
What to do next
- Review internal controls for employees working abroad
- Ensure compliance with SORNA registration requirements
- Reinforce child protection policies and training
Penalties
15 years in prison, 10 years of supervised release, restitution to victims, and registration as a sex offender under SORNA.
Source document (simplified)
News
Press Release
Former Army Civilian Employee Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Children
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A California man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for sexually abusing two minors while he was employed by the Armed Forces outside of the United States. According to court documents, Thelmo Meneses Santos, Jr., 60, of Merced, sexually abused two minor children multiple times between 2015 and 2023. Santos began sexually abusing both of the minor victims when they were 11 years old. Santos sexually abused the two minors in Japan, where he was employed by the U.S. Army as a civilian employee. During the investigation, Santos gave an interview to law enforcement officers where he admitted to engaging in sexual acts with both minor children. Santos was later arrested in Hawaii by Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agents. After his arrest, Santos attempted to unlawfully influence one of his victims to falsely recant her report of sexual abuse.
In addition to his sentence of imprisonment, Santos will be required to pay restitution to his victims and to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California; and Special Agent in Charge Michael DeFamio of the Army CID Far East Field Office made the announcement.
The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI investigated this case.
Trial Attorney Eduardo A. Palomo of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa for the Eastern District of California prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
Updated March 24, 2026 Components Criminal Division Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) USAO - California, Eastern Press Release Number: 26-282
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