Teacher sentenced to 19 months after possessing over 1,100 images of child pornography

Michael Fazio, a former music teacher in East Meadow, will spend 19 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. The sentence, handed down Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury in Central Islip, falls far short of the 6.5 to eight-year range recommended by federal sentencing guidelines. Choudhury justified the leniency by noting Fazio had no prior criminal record and was not involved in creating or distributing the images.

The judge stated that the term aligns with recent sentences for similar offenses on Long Island and in New York City. Choudhury acknowledged the gravity of the case but distinguished it from more severe instances of exploitation. "All child pornography cases are serious cases," she said. "But this case is not the most serious. Mr. Fazio is not the most serious child pornography offender."

Fazio, 41, of Bellmore, faces an additional 5.5 years of supervised release following his prison term. His guilty plea also requires him to register as a sex offender. Federal investigators executed a search warrant at his home in April 2025 after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The seizure included more than 1,100 images, one of which depicted a child bound and gagged, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Misorek.

Fazio expressed remorse during the hearing, telling the judge he lost his career, home, and wife as a result of his actions. He apologized to the court, his family, and the children whose images he collected. "This is not who I am or who I want to be," Fazio said. "I am disgusted with myself."

Attorney Dennis Lemke of Mineola described Fazio's condition as an illness and noted that his client has pursued mental health counseling. While Lemke had asked for a sentence of supervised release only, he called the judge's decision fair. "My client has lost everything but it pales in comparison to what the victims had to go through," Lemke told Newsday.

Alfred Dagro, the father of Fazio's ex-wife, spoke in court about the impact on his family. He revealed that Fazio convinced his daughter to become pregnant shortly after learning he was under investigation. The daughter, who was six months pregnant at the time of the arrest, is now the mother of a one-year-old girl. Dagro told the judge that his family has been profoundly affected by the events.

Fazio has cut ties with his ex-wife and will not be involved in his daughter's life, Lemke said. The former teacher believes this choice spares his family the stigma of association with a sex offender. "He knows his ex-wife did not deserve this," Lemke said.