Richmond man indicted for distribution of child sexual abuse material

RICHMOND, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment this week charging a Richmond man with distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents, on May 22, 2025, Randon Alexander Sprinkle, 30, allegedly used a dating app to contact another user who purportedly was the father of a nine-year-old son, but in actuality was an undercover FBI agent. Sprinkle immediately invited the user to communicate via the Telegram app. After alluding to a sexual interest in minors, Sprinkle allegedly sent a video depicting two adults sexually abusing a minor. Sprinkle then allegedly expressed his interest in travelling to Washington, D.C., to meet the other user and sexually abuse his purported nine-year-old son.

“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and reflect a serious abuse of trust,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “When someone who has held a professional role in public or political life engages in the sexual exploitation of children, it underscores why no position, title, or resume can shield an offender from accountability. This office will pursue full accountability for those who exploit children, regardless of their background, job, or perceived status.”

“One of the most important things FBI Richmond does is protecting children around the world from predators seeking to harm them,” said Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office. “I’m grateful our team and partners intervened to remove Mr. Sprinkle from the streets and ensure he was brought to justice.”

On Oct. 16, 2025, FBI agents searched Sprinkle’s residence in Richmond and seized two laptop computers and a cellphone. Sprinkle’s cellphone allegedly contained 42 CSAM files and one of the laptops contained two additional files. The files included depictions of the abuse of toddlers and an infant.

An arraignment is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 12, in Richmond. If convicted, Sprinkle faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Theisen and Heather H. Mansfield are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:26-cr-2.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.