A federal jury in Miami has convicted Earl Richard Clouser, 55, of Burnham, Pennsylvania, for attempting to produce child sexual abuse material involving a minor overseas. The verdict was delivered on February 11 after a two-day trial.
Court documents and evidence showed that Clouser communicated online with a 15-year-old girl in Cuba over several months. Despite being aware of her age, he repeatedly requested sexually explicit videos from her and instructed her to create such material. He also sent her electronic payments as part of these requests.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida commented on the case: “This defendant targeted a 15-year-old child, directed her to create sexually explicit material, and then traveled overseas to exploit her in person. The fact that the victim lived in another country did not put her beyond the protection of U.S. law. If you use the internet or international travel to exploit a child, we will find you, prosecute you, and seek the full measure of federal punishment.”
In September 2025, Clouser traveled from the United States to Havana to meet the victim with plans for sexual activity. Prior to his trip, he received identification from the victim confirming she was underage but still arranged for her stay at his rental apartment overnight.
Upon returning through Miami International Airport on September 19, 2025, Clouser underwent secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers who found CSAM and communications between him and the victim on three electronic devices he carried. Each device contained sexually explicit images of the victim.
Clouser now faces up to 30 years in federal prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge following consideration of relevant guidelines and legal factors.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami and announced jointly by U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Hannah and Anthony Reynolds prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative started in May 2006—focused on addressing child exploitation crimes online by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local authorities nationwide.
For more details about Project Safe Childhood visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Information about this case can be accessed through the Southern District of Florida’s court website at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or via http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 25-cr-20444.
