Former East Meadow teacher Michael Fazio receives 19-month prison sentence

U.S. District Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury sentenced Michael Fazio to 19 months in federal prison on Wednesday. The judge also imposed a period of 5.5 years of supervised release that will follow his incarceration. Fazio, 41, must register as a sex offender as a condition of his guilty plea.

Choudhury explained that the prison term was lower than the federal sentencing guidelines, which recommended 6.5 to 8 years. She noted that Fazio had no prior criminal record and was not involved in the production or distribution of the images. She stated that her decision aligned with recent sentences given to similar defendants on Long Island and in New York City.

“All child pornography cases are serious cases,” Choudhury said during the hearing in Central Islip. “But this case is not the most serious. Mr. Fazio is not the most serious child pornography offender.” The judge added that the crime is not victimless because children experience anxiety and fear when they learn their images have been shared widely.

Fazio had been a music teacher at W.T. Clarke Middle and High School in East Meadow before his conviction. Federal investigators executed a search warrant at his Bellmore residence in April 2025 after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They seized more than 1,100 images of child pornography. Fazio pleaded guilty to possession charges in September 2025.

During sentencing, Fazio expressed regret for his actions. He told the judge he lost his career, his home, his wife, and an infant daughter he has never met. His attorney, Dennis Lemke, described Fazio’s condition as an illness for which he has pursued mental health counseling. Lemke said his client has cut ties with his ex-wife to avoid burdening them with the stigma of association with a sex offender.

“This is not who I am or who I want to be,” Fazio said. “I am disgusted with myself.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Misorek had requested a sentence within the federal guidelines to serve as a deterrent. He noted that the seized images included one showing a child who was bound and gagged.

Alfred Dagro, the father of Fazio’s ex-wife, spoke in court about the impact on the family. He stated that Fazio convinced his daughter to get pregnant shortly after learning he was under investigation. Fazio’s daughter was six months pregnant at the time of his arrest and their child is now one year old. Lemke told Newsday after the hearing that the judge’s decision was fair despite his initial request for supervised release only.