Nicholas Richard Lugo, 25, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for distributing child pornography. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“A 15-year sentence cannot undo the harm Lugo repeatedly inflicted on children, but it delivers justice and protection,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “We are prosecuting several cases like this in federal court today, and every one of them is heartbreaking. Minnesota’s children deserve protection, and those who prey on them will face federal consequences.”
Lugo had previously been convicted in 2021 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Hennepin County, Minnesota. He received a stayed sentence that included jail time and supervision as a predatory offender. In October 2024, while under supervision, Lugo obtained a cell phone against the terms of his release and used it to download a social media app through which he received and distributed images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children.
The sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan, who described the offense as “one of the more egregious crimes we have in our society.” Authorities emphasized that these materials involved real victims.
The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the Chaska Police Department and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged the suffering experienced by victims in both this case and Lugo’s previous offenses, stating that offenders must be held accountable for such acts.
