Former ’90 Day Fiance’ Star Found Guilty of Child P*rn Charges, He’s Facing 20 Years In Prison

Former ’90 Day Fiance’ Star Found Guilty of Child P*rn Charges, He’s Facing 20 Years In Prison

Michael Eloshway, a former star of 90 Day Fiancé was found guilty on July 24 of two counts of child pornography charges, including receiving, distributing, and possessing illicit material involving minors.

The verdict, delivered after a three-day trial and less than two hours of jury deliberation, marks a significant turn in Eloshway’s life. U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan scheduled sentencing for October 29, while allowing Eloshway to remain free on bond until then.

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Eloshway, who appeared stoic as the verdict was read, briefly turned to his attorney, Jay Milano, while his wife, Aziza, and mother were visibly distressed. His wife, who appeared alongside him in the inaugural season of 90 Day Fiancé, lowered her head in apparent sorrow, while his mother was seen in tears. Milano chose not to comment following the proceedings.

Eloshway, 31, and his now-wife, Aziza, 21 at the time of their marriage, featured prominently in the reality series which chronicles the experiences of couples navigating visa applications and marriage within a 90-day window. The couple, who married in 2014, have a 5-year-old daughter together.

The case against Eloshway reached a pivotal moment last month when he rejected a plea deal that could have reduced his sentence to between 12 years and 15 years and seven months. The jury’s decision followed a whirlwind of legal maneuvers, including Eloshway’s testimony in his own defense and closing arguments from both the prosecution and his defense attorney.

Prosecutors revealed that an FBI investigation into Eloshway’s online activities led to the discovery of approximately 65,000 child pornography files linked to his IP address. A subsequent raid on his Twinsburg home in May 2023 uncovered around 8,000 such files on a computer in Eloshway’s garage.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Dangelo argued forcefully during the trial, stating, “He’s addicted to pornography and he had 8,000 child pornography files on his computer. He knew they were there.” Dangelo emphasized that Eloshway’s extensive collection and use of child pornography files reflected a clear awareness of their illegal nature.

In contrast, Eloshway testified that he never actively sought out child pornography and that he had only come across such material accidentally. He attributed his increasing consumption of adult pornography to personal turmoil, including severe injuries from a car accident and the suicide of a close friend. Eloshway claimed that he used BitTorrent to download thousands of files, which he then reviewed and deleted, noting that he encountered child pornography only three times over two decades, each time deleting it immediately.

“I can’t describe how much I hated seeing those images,” Eloshway said during his testimony. He also claimed that FBI agents coerced him into signing a confession under duress, suggesting that he was pressured by the agents’ threats about losing contact with his daughter. “My only concern was being able to see my daughter again,” he said. “It was a crazy day, my heart was still racing, and I was under investigation for something I never meant to do. But I was worried I would never see my daughter again.”

The trial concluded with the jury’s guilty verdict on all charges. Eloshway’s sentencing will determine the length of his prison term, which could range from 17 years and 5 months to 20 years. The legal process is set to continue as both Eloshway and his family navigate the consequences of this significant legal and personal upheaval.

 

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