Orange County man accused of abusing sister, trading recorded assault for porn

Orange County investigators helped build a federal child exploitation case that accuses 20-year-old Bryan Cruz Solano of abusing his 12-year-old sister and recording the assault to trade for child pornography.

The case began on May 1, 2026, after information was reported to the New York State Police and the FBI. In court papers, a witness identified as Witness-1 told investigators that Cruz Solano had sent child sexual abuse material, including videos showing him engaging in sexual acts with a minor. Prosecutors say investigators later took over Witness-1’s Telegram account and used a controlled conversation to press the case further, while a Snapchat account linked to the investigation used the name “lil_cruzyyyy.”

Law enforcement executed search warrants on May 8 at Cruz Solano’s residence in Hartford, Connecticut, and at a previous residence in Middletown, in Orange County. Investigators recovered multiple electronic devices containing additional exploitative material involving the victim, and court papers say they also found a video showing abuse involving a prepubescent girl. Federal prosecutors say Cruz Solano told undercover investigators over Telegram that he had “new stuff” he wanted to trade and would not send content without first receiving child pornography.

The investigation drew in 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. That mix of agencies reflects how quickly digital evidence can cross city and state lines, from Orange County to Hartford and into federal court in Manhattan.

Cruz Solano was arrested on May 9 and later presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo. U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas ordered him detained pending trial on May 12. In a statement, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the abuse was allegedly recorded so it could be traded for other child pornography, and warned that there may be additional victims.

Authorities are urging anyone with information, or anyone who believes they may have been victimized, to contact the FBI or New York State Police. The case shows how child exploitation can surface through a single report, then move through coordinated digital forensics, search warrants and federal prosecution before more children are harmed.