We All Matter News 
Federal Prosecutors: New York Man Admits to Smuggling Scheme and Possessing Child Abuse Material
A New York resident has pleaded guilty to operating a yearslong human smuggling operation that brought foreign nationals into the United States—while also stockpiling graphic child sexual abuse material, according to federal authorities. The case, prosecutors say, reveals both serious national security concerns and deeply disturbing acts of exploitation.
Sharon Gohari, an Iran-born U.S. citizen who lived in Nassau County and regularly traveled to Iran, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Brooklyn to charges of human smuggling and receipt of child sexual abuse material. The admissions bring to a close what investigators described as a for-profit operation that ran from at least late 2020 until his arrest in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege that Gohari built a business around moving migrants into the United States, charging thousands of dollars per person. According to court filings, he routed individuals—primarily Iranian nationals—through Turkey and Mexico, at times helping them secure Mexican visas before guiding their eventual entry across the U.S. southern border with the help of an international network.
Among those he allegedly assisted was at least one individual with links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. That individual was later detained by U.S. border officials and admitted to carrying out tasks for the IRGC abroad, federal authorities said.
Justice Department officials stressed that the case highlights the importance of fair, effective, and accountable immigration systems that protect both national security and human rights. They argued that smuggling operations like this one prey on migrants while also undermining legitimate immigration processes designed to keep communities safe.
“This defendant turned human vulnerability into a profit stream,” a senior federal prosecutor said, describing the case as one that endangered both the people being smuggled and the broader public.
Advocates for immigrant rights have long warned that restrictive and backlogged legal pathways can create openings for smugglers who exploit desperation. While the overwhelming majority of migrants pursue safety and opportunity in good faith, prosecutors say Gohari abused that reality for personal gain—charging steep fees while sidestepping lawful vetting systems.
Disturbing Evidence Uncovered
The case took a particularly alarming turn when federal agents searched Gohari’s electronic devices. Investigators reported finding multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children, including victims believed to be as young as five years old.
Authorities also described uncovering hundreds of photos and recordings that appeared to show women being secretly filmed and followed in public locations across New York City. Some material was reportedly recorded at close range or in a manner designed to capture images under women’s clothing. Prosecutors allege that portions of the content were shared with overseas accounts, including some linked to exchanges of child sexual abuse material.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that child exploitation is a grave crime that inflicts lifelong harm on victims and demands serious accountability. They say the investigation involved a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local agencies, including the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
“The sexual exploitation of children and the commodification of vulnerable people are among the most serious offenses we confront,” an FBI official said, underscoring the agency’s commitment to pursuing such cases.
Potential Sentencing
Gohari now faces substantial prison time. The child exploitation charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years. The human smuggling conviction could add up to 10 more years behind bars.
This case underscores two urgent realities: the need for immigration systems that are humane, orderly, and resistant to criminal exploitation, and the moral imperative to aggressively combat sexual abuse—especially crimes targeting children. While the vast majority of immigrants are not threats and contribute meaningfully to American society, prosecutors say this case demonstrates how bad actors can manipulate global migration for profit while committing profound harm.
As the legal process moves toward sentencing, advocates stress that safeguarding national security must go hand in hand with protecting civil liberties, immigrant communities, and the most vulnerable among us—especially children whose lives can be forever scarred by exploitation.
