D.C. Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography

WASHINGTON –Angel Anthony Rios, 29, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced Friday, November 6, in U.S. District Court to 46 months in federal prison in connection with distributing videos of child sexual abuse materials over the internet, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Rios pleaded guilty on August 14, 2026, before Judge Beryl A. Howell to one count of possession of child pornography. In addition to the 46-month prison sentence, Judge Howell ordered Rios to serve six years of supervised release. 

According to court documents, beginning on Dec. 18, 2025, Rios exchanged messages with another user on social media regarding a variety of topics including politics. Rios ultimately revealed that he had a sexual interest in children. Subsequently, Rios distributed videos depicting the abuse of a three-year-old boy. During the course of his communications, Rios stated, “Kids are here to be used, and I don’t mean that ironically.” 

Law enforcement arrested Rios on Jan. 23, 2026. 

Joining U.S. Attorney Pirro in the announcement was FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office. 

This case is being investigated by FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Janani Iyengar. 

This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

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