Rosenberg Man Handed Significant Sentence for Multiple Child Pornography Charges

HOUSTON – A 25-year-old man from Rosenberg has been sent to federal prison for nearly 40 years following his convictions of sexual exploitation of a child, distribution and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Ryan Glen Colburn pleaded guilty April 19, 2017.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nancy F. Atlas sentenced him to 360 months for the production of child pornography (sexual exploitation of a child). He also received 28 and 60 months for the possession and distributions convictions, respectively. The sentences will run consecutively for a total 448-month prison term. In handing down the sentence, Judge Atlas considered the fact that Colburn was a creator of child pornography and had a very large collection of child pornography. Colburn was further ordered to pay restitution to three known victims and will serve 15 years of supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

Colburn first came to the attention of law enforcement after he had sent images of child pornography to another individual who had been arrested for child pornography. Federal agents executed a search warrant at Colburn’s residence and performed a forensic examination on his computer. This exam showed Colburn was in possession of more than 1,100 images and 200 videos of young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct which included children under the age of 12, bondage and acts of violence. Some of the images are of known victims as identified through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Further, Colburn produced 25 images and six videos of a two-year-old minor which would constitute child pornography.

Agents also executed a search warrant on Colburn’s Dropbox account which contained more than 60 images and 400 videos of child pornography. 

At the time of his plea, Colburn admitted to taking sexually explicit photographs and videos of a two-year-old minor. Colburn further admitted he traded these images with other individuals online. 

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo, 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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."