An American founder of a Haitian orphanage, accused of sexually abusing four boys more than a decade ago, has been ordered to be extradited from Colorado to Florida to face prosecution. Michael Geilenfeld, 71, was arrested in Colorado on Jan. 20 after being indicted in Florida for allegedly engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor under 18 in Haiti between 2010 and 2016. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 30 years in prison.
A federal magistrate judge in Denver signed an order on Tuesday for Geilenfeld to be transferred to authorities in Florida's southern district. The reason for the transfer was not specified in the order.
Earlier, the judge ruled that Geilenfeld could be released to a halfway house in Colorado while awaiting prosecution, but federal prosecutors in Florida appealed the decision. The judge halted the release pending a ruling from Florida.
Geilenfeld's attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the order or the allegations. Geilenfeld, who has faced previous abuse accusations, claimed he was being held in isolation and allowed limited time out of his cell.
Prosecutors argued that Geilenfeld, accused of abusing around 20 children over the years, could intimidate victims if released and posed a flight risk. The judge found the allegations troubling but noted insufficient evidence of recent threats or abuse.
In 2014, Haitian authorities arrested Geilenfeld based on allegations from a child advocate in Maine. Geilenfeld denied the accusations, calling them lies. His case was dismissed in 2015 after spending time in a Haitian prison.
Geilenfeld and a charity linked to the orphanage sued the advocate, blaming him for imprisonment, reputation damage, and donation losses. The lawsuit was settled in 2019 with the charity receiving $3 million in compensation.
