22-year-old Torrington man pleads guilty to sexual exploitation charges
TORRINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A 22-year-old Torrington man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to multiple sexual exploitation charges, according to the Department of Justice.
Christopher Jesus Costanzo allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, enticed and sexually assaulted another 16-year-old girl and produced child pornography including a 17-year-old girl.
ICE arrests man on sexual assault charges in Brooklyn, Conn.
In December 2021, Costanzo and a 16-year-old girl arrived at the Canadian border in Highgate Springs, Canada, where they were denied entry due to a lack of COVID tests.
When the two were separated by border protections officers, the minor claimed that she met Costanzo at Stillwater State Park in Torrington the night prior, sexually assaulted her, forced her into the trunk of her car, restrained her with a shoelace and kept driving. He was then arrested by border patrol.
In July 2021, Costanzo allegedly used Snapchat to coerce a 16-year-old girl into an abandoned warehouse in Torrington to record herself having sex with him. He allegedly also threatened to kill the victim and her boyfriend if she did not comply. He then sexually assaulted her at knifepoint in the warehouse.
Also in July 2021, Costanzo allegedly used his phone to record sexually explicit FaceTime video of a 17-year-old girl.
Costanzo pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and, as a result, admitted his conduct against all three victims. He is facing a maximum prison sentence of 30 years.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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