HOUSTON - A 23-year-old man from Rosenberg has entered a guilty plea to sexual exploitation of a child, distribution and possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.
Ryan Glen Colburn first came to the attention of law enforcement after he had sent images of child pornography to another individual who had been arrested for child pornography. Federal agents executed a search warrant at Colburn’s residence and performed a forensic examination on his computer. This exam showed Colburn was in possession of more than 1,100 images and 200 videos of young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct which included children under the age of 12, bondage and acts of violence. Some of the images are of known victims as identified through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Further, Colburn produced 25 images and six videos of a two-year-old minor which would constitute child pornography.
Agents also executed a search warrant on Colburn’s Dropbox account which contained more than 600 images and 400 videos of child pornography.
During the plea today, Colburn admitted to taking sexually explicit photographs and videos of a two-year-old minor. Colburn further admitted he traded these images with other individuals online.
U.S. District Judge Nancy F. Atlas accepted the plea and set sentencing for July 5, 2017. At that time, Colburn faces a minimum of 15 and up to 30 years in federal prison for production of child pornography, up to 20 years imprisonment for distribution as well as a maximum of 10 years for the possession of child pornography. All charges also carry a possible penalty of a $250,000 maximum fine.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Investigation.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
