Former East Meadow music teacher gets 19 months for child porn possession

Michael Fazio, a former music teacher at W.T. Clarke Middle and High School in East Meadow, will spend 19 months in federal prison for possessing more than 1,100 images of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury handed down the sentence on Wednesday at the federal courthouse in Central Islip. Fazio, 41, also received 5 1/2 years of supervised release to serve after his time in prison.

The judge noted that federal guidelines called for a term of six and a half to eight years. She reduced the sentence because Fazio had no prior criminal record and was not involved in producing or distributing the images. Choudhury stated that her ruling aligns with recent sentences for similar cases in Long Island and New York City. She told Fazio that while all such cases are serious, his situation was not the most severe among offenders.

Federal investigators executed a search warrant at Fazio’s residence in April 2025 after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Misorek argued for a prison term within the guidelines to deter future exploitation. He pointed out that the seized materials included an image of a child who was bound and gagged. Fazio pleaded guilty to possession in September 2025.

During sentencing, Fazio expressed regret for losing his career, his home, and his wife. He apologized to the court and to the children whose images he collected. He told the judge that he has pursued mental health counseling for what his attorney, Dennis Lemke, of Mineola, described as an illness. Fazio said he is disgusted with himself and that this conduct is not who he wants to be.

Alfred Dagro, the father of Fazio’s ex-wife, addressed the court to describe the impact on his family. He stated that Fazio convinced his wife to get pregnant shortly after learning he was under investigation. His daughter was six months pregnant when Fazio was arrested. She is now one year old. Dagro told the judge that his family has been profoundly impacted by the events.

Lemke asked for a sentence of supervised release only but called the final decision fair after the hearing. He noted that Fazio has cut ties with his ex-wife to avoid burdening them with the stigma of association with a sex offender. Fazio will not be involved in his daughter’s life. He is required to register as a sex offender as a result of his guilty plea.