Reno man indicted for receiving, possessing child pornography

RENO, Nev. — A Reno man is in federal custody for receiving and possessing child pornography after making his initial court appearance on Monday.

The case was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

According to court documents, beginning on or about April 24, 2018, Ryan Thomas Eley, 24, received and possessed USB flash drives, an external hard drive, and a cell phone that contained images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of these images were of prepubescent minors and minors under 12 years of age.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Eley with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Eley made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge William G. Cobb, who scheduled a jury trial to start on June 21, before Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du.

If convicted, Eley faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison.

An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The following agencies assisted with the investigation: the FBI, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Sparks Police Department, and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph J. St. Clair is prosecuting the case.

This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. It is implemented through partnerships including the Northern Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of DHS and a vital U.S. asset in combatting transnational crime and threats. One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission set. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse, and help make the internet a safer place for children.

To report a crime, call 866-347-2423 (TTY for hearing impaired: 802-872-6196).