Pasco Man Sentenced to 5 Years Imprisonment for Receipt of Child Pornography

Spokane, Washington - First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on March 5, 2026, District Court Judge United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke, sentenced Ricardo Velazquez Reyes, age 23, of Pasco, Washington, to five years of imprisonment for the Receipt of Child Pornography. Judge Dimke also ordered that following his sentence, Velazquez Reyes serve a 15 year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and abide by a number of conditions pertaining to Velazquez Reyes's use and access to electronic devices. Velazquez Reyes was also ordered to pay $154,000 in restitution to minor children depicted and identified in the sexual exploitation files he received, possessed and distributed.

According to court documents, a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted an undercover investigation into individuals utilizing an online platform to distribute, receive and possess files known to law enforcement to constitute child pornography. On multiple occasions spanning from December of 2023 through March of 2024, Velazquez Reyes distributed known child pornography files depicting minor children to the undercover Special Agent. In March of 2024, a search warrant was executed at Velazquez Reyes's residence in Pasco. HSI agents and members of the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SER-ICAC) served the warrant. Multiple electronic devices were seized from Velazquez Reyes's residence. An HSI forensic examiner located more than 1,000 child pornography files on Velazquez Reyes's electronic devices. These files depicted minor children, including those under the age of 12, engaged in sex acts, bondage and defecation. Velazquez Reyes was interviewed by detectives with the SER-ICAC on scene. Velazquez Reyes admitted that he had obtained child pornography utilizing the dark web and that he was sexually stimulated by child pornography. Velazquez Reyes also advised that he was enrolled as a student in a cybersecurity program at a local college at the time of his arrest.

"Mr. Velazquez Reyes distributed sickening images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minor children in our community and abroad" stated First Assistant Serrano. "This material often depicts the worst day of a young child's life, yet Mr. Velazquez Reyes distributed these images and videos and gained personal gratification from them. Thanks to the proactive work of Homeland Security Investigations and the Southeast Regional ICAC team, Mr. Velazquez Reyes was identified, apprehended and prosecuted for his conduct, preventing the further distribution of these horrific images and videos."

"Every image or video of child sexual abuse represents a real child who was victimized," said Damon Jansen Commander of the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (SER-ICAC) Task Force. "When offenders download, possess, and distribute this material, they are continuing the cycle of abuse for those victims. This case highlights the importance of proactive investigations and strong partnerships between Homeland Security Investigations and our Southeast Regional ICAC Task Force. Together, we are committed to identifying offenders, rescuing victims, and holding those who exploit children accountable."

"By leveraging our advanced cyber capabilities, HSI relentlessly pursues those who traffic in the abuse of children and ensures they are brought to justice," said HSI Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. "Together with our local partners, we are protecting vulnerable victims and helping to rescue children worldwide from this horrific exploitation."

The case was investigated by the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is comprised of special agents with Homeland Security Investigations and local detectives from the Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco Police Departments, along with the Benton County Sheriff's Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Holland.

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