Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Las Vegas man, Daniel Lee Rhees, was sentenced to 18 years and 4 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release for crimes involving child sexual exploitation. The sentencing was delivered by Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon.
United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada commented on the case: "The defendant engaged in a pattern of activity involving the sexual exploitation of a young girl within his supervisory control and possessed CSAM depicting two children in his custody. The defendant not only traumatized the children who trusted him, but he also possessed child sexual abuse material of additional victims. Let today’s sentencing be a deterrent to others like this defendant."
Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division emphasized the gravity of the crimes Rhees had committed: "Exploiting young children and creating child sexual abuse material is among the most heinous crimes investigated by the FBI. We remain steadfast in our commitment to seek justice for the victims of such predators. Today's sentencing exemplifies the unwavering determination of the FBI and our partners to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our community."
Court documents revealed that in December 2020, Rhees communicated through Kik, confessing to sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl related to him. He also mentioned being part of a group of taboo parents on the Session platform to share CSAM. Investigators, upon executing a search warrant, seized devices from Rhees's residence which contained 1,803 images and 243 videos of child sexual abuse material.
Rhees accepted guilt for one count of sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography. He is also required to register as a sex offender due to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The United States Attorney Sigal Chattah and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans disclosed the case. It was jointly investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin.
This prosecution is a segment of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Justice Department initiated in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. More details are available at www.justice.gov/psc.
Individuals with information about child exploitation are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.
