Feds say Connecticut man abused child in Middletown, may have more victims

Federal prosecutors charged Bryan Cruz Solano, 20, with sexual exploitation of a minor after investigators tied the case to Middletown in Orange County and said there may be additional victims. The complaint says the abuse involved a 12-year-old, was recorded, and was later sent to another person, putting a local child-protection case into federal court in Manhattan.

The case began on or about May 1, 2026, when a witness told New York State Police and the FBI that Cruz Solano had sent child sexual abuse material, including videos showing him engaged in sexual acts with a minor. Investigators recovered a video from the witness’s cellphone, and prosecutors said Cruz Solano later admitted that a Snapchat account tied to the case, lil_cruzyyyy, was his.

Federal agents then took control of a Telegram account and communicated with Cruz Solano from May 4 to May 8, 2026. According to the complaint, he said he had “new stuff” to trade and wanted child pornography in exchange. In practical terms, federal involvement meant the case was handled by a multi-agency task force, digital evidence was used to build the complaint, and search warrants could reach multiple residences and devices across state lines.

New York State Police said search warrants were executed May 8 at Cruz Solano’s home in Hartford, Connecticut, and at his previous residence in Middletown, New York. Police said they found multiple electronic devices containing additional exploitative material involving the victim. Cruz Solano was arrested May 9, presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo in Manhattan federal court, and ordered detained pending trial by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas on May 12.

The investigation involved the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit at Troop F, the FBI New York Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the FBI New Haven Child Exploitation Task Force, the Orange County Child Abuse Unit, the Orange County Child Advocacy Center and the Hartford Police Department. Orange County officials said the Child Advocacy Center provides a safe, child-friendly place for abuse victims and families during the investigative phase of abuse allegations, a key protection when children may need forensic interviews, support services and coordination with law enforcement.

State Police said anyone who believes they were a victim of Cruz Solano, or has additional information, should contact the Middletown station and reference case number NY2600587421, or contact the FBI.