Phoenix music teacher pleads guilty to producing child sexual abuse material

A former Phoenix mariachi music teacher pleaded guilty Monday to five federal counts of producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Carlos Lechuga, 38, of Laredo, Texas, admitted during a court hearing that he exploited girls between the ages of 6 and 11 who came to his Phoenix home for private music lessons between 2013 and 2019.

Lechuga reportedly taught orchestra in the Kyrene School District and led mariachi programs at several Valley nonprofits, including Rosie’s House and Harmony Project Phoenix.

The FBI discovered recordings on the dark web in December 2024, leading to Lechuga’s arrest.

When the FBI searched the Phoenix Police Department database, they discovered molestation complaints regarding five separate minor students dating back to 2019.

Each count of producing CSAM carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 15 in Phoenix.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative combating child sexual exploitation.

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