Michael Rios, a 43-year-old resident of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for possession and distribution of child pornography. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Rios was indicted on April 3, 2024, by a federal grand jury on charges related to sexual exploitation of children and the possession and distribution of child pornography. An FBI investigation revealed that an online encrypted messaging service profile linked to Rios had shared child pornography in early January 2024. A court-authorized search led to the discovery of a significant collection of such material on his digital devices, resulting in his arrest.
At the time of his arrest, Rios was already facing charges in Oklahoma County District Court for manufacturing child pornography and possessing obscene material involving minors under case number CF-2022-5095. He allegedly recorded a minor without their knowledge while they were showering at his home in 2019.
On June 3, 2024, Rios pleaded guilty to two counts from the indictment related to possessing and distributing child pornography. On November 18, U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones handed down the sentence of four decades in prison followed by lifetime supervised release. Judge Jones remarked on "the disturbing and demented nature" of Rios' actions and emphasized the threat he posed to society.
The case was investigated by the FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office along with the Oklahoma City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Edgmon.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation nationwide through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
Further details can be found in public records.