A federal grand jury has indicted Miguel Angel Dorantes, also known as Miguel Castro, 28, of Fresno. He faces three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez.
Court documents state that between November 6, 2021, and May 7, 2025, Dorantes allegedly used three minors to create visual depictions involving sexually explicit conduct. Authorities also allege he provided obscene material to a minor in November 2021.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter is prosecuting the case.
If convicted on the charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, Dorantes could face up to 30 years in prison per count, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and fines up to $250,000 for each count. The charge for transferring obscene material to a minor carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Sentencing would be determined by the court based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The charges are allegations at this stage; Dorantes is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse across the United States. The program brings together federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and assist victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
