South Texas man sentenced to 14 years in prison for possessing, receiving over 22,000 pornographic images

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A South Texas man will spend the next 14 years behind bars for receiving and possessing child pornography, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

HSI-led Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.

Robert Andrew Riley, 68, from South Padre Island, Texas, was sentenced Aug. 26, in federal court to 168 months in federal prison.

According to court documents, in January 2018, HSI initiated an investigation into child pornography sharing on the internet. This led agents to Riley’s address on South Padre Island. HSI later executed a search warrant at his residence and seized several electronic and digital devices. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of 22,628 images and 6,097 videos of child pornography.

The court noted the amount of child pornography Riley possessed and further ordered him to pay $78,000 in restitution to 26 victims. He must also serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term.

Riley will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Riley will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Riley pleaded guilty June 25, 2019.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano, of the Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting the case.

HSI also encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the United States and Canada, callers should dial (802) 872-6199. Hearing impaired users may call TTY (802) 872-6196.

HSI takes a victim-centered approach to child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), ICAC partners, and other federal, state, and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to NCMEC’s toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.

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.