Ex-Army Soldier Convicted of Brutal Abuse of Children Overseas Faces Life in Prison

A former U.S. Army service member has been convicted by a federal jury in Georgia of sexually and physically abusing two young children while stationed in Germany, federal officials announced Friday.

Adam Schlueter, 37, of Atlanta, was found guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under 12 and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The charges stem from years of abuse that occurred between 2009 and 2013 while he was assigned to Grafenwöhr, Germany.

According to evidence presented at trial, Schlueter subjected the two victims—both under the age of 10—to repeated sexual assaults and extreme physical violence. Testimony described incidents in which the children were choked, beaten, and threatened to prevent them from reporting the abuse.

One victim recounted being pushed through a second-story window at the age of eight and left dangling above the ground. Prosecutors said Schlueter also issued threats against witnesses, including a threat to kill one individual if the abuse was reported.

Schlueter is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and could receive a life sentence. A federal judge will determine the final penalty after considering sentencing guidelines and other legal factors.

Fake Film Company Smuggling Ring Leader Pleads Guilty in U.S. Court

A Pakistani national has pleaded guilty to running an international human smuggling operation that used sham film production companies to funnel migrants into the United States, federal authorities said.

Abbas Ali Haider, 49, of Sialkot, Pakistan, admitted in court Tuesday that he led a years-long scheme that brought Pakistani nationals into the country illegally through Latin America and the Caribbean. Prosecutors said Haider used two fictitious companies—Diamond TV World Productions and Multimedia Advertising Ltd.—as fronts to secure travel visas under false pretenses.

From September 2019 through September 2023, Haider arranged for migrants to obtain visas to countries including Ecuador, Cuba, and Colombia, claiming they were traveling for film-related business. Instead, authorities said, the individuals were routed toward the U.S.-Mexico border, where they crossed illegally into California, Texas, and Arizona.

Each migrant was charged as much as $40,000 for the journey, according to court documents.

Haider was extradited from Mexico to the United States in July 2025. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring migrants into the country for financial gain and to smuggling individuals for profit.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30 and faces a minimum of three years in prison and a maximum of 10 years. A federal judge will determine the final sentence based on sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Former Army Civilian Worker Sentenced to 15 Years for Sex Abuse of Children Overseas

A former U.S. Army civilian employee has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for repeatedly sexually abusing two children while stationed overseas, authorities said.

Thelmo Meneses Santos Jr., 60, of Merced, California, was sentenced this week after admitting to sexually abusing two minors over several years while working for the Army in Japan. In addition to his prison term, he will serve 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, Santos began abusing both victims when they were 11 years old, continuing the abuse between 2015 and 2023. Investigators said the assaults occurred while Santos was employed abroad in a civilian capacity with the military.

During the investigation, Santos admitted to law enforcement that he engaged in sexual acts with both children. He was later arrested in Hawaii by agents with the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

Prosecutors said that after his arrest, Santos attempted to influence one of the victims to recant her allegations, an effort authorities described as unlawful interference with the investigation.

In addition to his prison sentence, Santos was ordered to pay restitution to the victims and will be required to register as a sex offender under federal law in any location where he lives, works, or studies.