Reno Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse Material

NEVADA – A 26-year-old Reno man, Ryan Thomas Eley, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for receiving and possessing thousands of images and videos of child sex abuse material. Following his release, Eley will also be subject to a lifetime of supervision, and he must register as a sex offender.

Eley pleaded guilty in March 2023 after the court found him in possession of over 3,000 sexually explicit images and videos involving children. As part of his sentence, Eley is required to pay a total of $108,000 in restitution, with $68,000 allocated to 10 known victims and an additional $5,000 under the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act of 2015. A further $35,000 in restitution is mandated under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

The case against Eley unfolded when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided law enforcement with 12 CyberTips. These tips led investigators to Eley’s IP address, resulting in the execution of a search warrant at his residence on August 4, 2020.

During the search, authorities seized USB flash drives, an external hard drive, and Eley’s cell phone. Forensic analysis of the devices revealed disturbing evidence, including over 2,700 images and 400 videos depicting children, some as young as under 12, engaged in explicit sexual conduct with adults.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals. It serves as a reminder of the severe legal consequences individuals face for engaging in the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Credits: KOLOTV