Retired Air Force Officer Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, RICKIE LEE GRESS, 54, a retired Air Force officer from Midwest City, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On March 21, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Gress, charging him with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. According to the Indictment, between August 2016 and May of 2022, Gress knowingly possessed images of child pornography on his computer.

On August 1, 2023, Gress pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment. As part of his plea, Gress, admitted to possessing a laptop computer that contained child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Gress was remanded to federal custody following his hearing.   

At sentencing, Gress faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

This case is a result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Choctaw Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney D.H. Dilbeck is prosecuting the case.

Reference is made to public filings for more information.