District Man Charged with Distributing Child Pornography

WASHINGTON – A complaint was unsealed today charging Angel Anthony Rios, 29, of the District of Columbia, with distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

“Those who exploit children will find no refuge,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “My office will pursue swift and decisive prosecution of anyone involved in the creation, possession, or distribution of child sexual abuse material.”

According to court documents, starting on Dec. 18, 2025, Rios exchanged messages with another user on X regarding a variety of topics including politics. Rios ultimately stated that he has a sexual interest in children. He further stated that he communicated with the father of a three-year-old boy who sent Rios videos depicting his sexual abuse of his son. Rios distributed five videos depicting the abuse of the three-year-old son. During the course of his communications, Rios stated, “Kids are here to be used.”

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.

Charges in a complaint are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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