For Immediate Release:
August 5, 2020
Contact: Matt Baca — (505) 270-7148
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas and Albuquerque
Police Department Chief Michael Geier announced that Sergei Von Hoyningen-Huene
was charged by criminal complaint with the felony crimes of Sexual Exploitation of a Child
(Possession) and Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Manufacturing). In late July,
investigators with the Albuquerque Police Department, acting on a cybertip of child
exploitation materials, conducted a search warrant of Von Hoyningen-Huene’s residence,
where they found and seized multiple images and videos of child sexual exploitation
contained on multiple electronic devices.
“I am committed to protecting New Mexico’s children from dangerous predators,” said
Attorney General Balderas. “I am grateful to the Albuquerque Police Department for their
efforts, and our office looks forward to seeking justice in this case.”
Chief Geier said: “This is the kind of persistence and great detective work we need to
stop sex offenders who often go to great lengths to hide their crimes. I appreciate the
support and dedication of the Attorney General’s Office to prosecute those cases and the
U.S. Health and Human Services Officer of Inspector General, which assisted with its
Computer Crimes Unit.”
This is an on-going investigation conducted by members of the Albuquerque Police
Department and will be criminally prosecuted by attorneys from the Office of the Attorney
General. Von Hoyningen-Huene was arrested in Florida on these charges. He will be
extradited back to New Mexico, where he will face criminal prosecution for these crimes.
The Office of the Attorney General will ask the Court to detain Von Hoyningen-Huene
until trial on the basis that his release will endanger community members. A hearing on
that motion should be heard within three days of his return to New Mexico.