U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures 20-Year Sentence in Child Exploitation Case

ALBUQUERQUE – An Las Cruces man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring with his cousin to distribute child pornography, following an extensive investigation that uncovered thousands of explicit images and videos of minors.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court document, between April 18, 2022, and April 24, 2023, Ryan Gallardo, 24, conspired with his cousin, Yamil Pillado, to send and receive videos depicting child pornography using various online platforms and cloud storage services. The two men exchanged thousands of files containing sexually explicit images and videos of minors, including content involving bestiality and sadomasochism.

In addition to trading child pornography, Gallardo and Pillado discussed prior sexual abuse of children and plans to sexually abuse and record minors that Gallardo had access to through relationships with others.

Pillado pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and receive child pornography and was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Pillado will be subject to 20 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

Upon his release from prison, Gallardo will be subject to 25 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations - El Paso, made the announcement today.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the El Paso Police Department, Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, New Mexico State Police and the Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa A. Ong and A’Kiesha Soliman prosecuted the case.

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