U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
A former Marine has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Paul Anthony Reyes, 23, will also serve five years of supervised release and pay $273,000 in restitution to 29 victims.
The investigation began when Instagram reported a user uploading contraband to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The IP address used was traced back to Reyes, who was stationed at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point.
Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) agents obtained a search warrant for the Instagram account linked to Reyes. The investigation revealed his involvement in trading and distributing child pornography with other users on the platform. Further searches of Reyes' person and barracks led to the seizure of multiple digital devices.
Forensic analysis uncovered thousands of images and videos depicting child pornography, including content showing sadistic and masochistic acts. Some materials involved the rape and abuse of infants and toddlers.
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., announced the sentencing, which was overseen by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson following an NCIS investigation.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online.
Further details about this case can be accessed through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or via PACER under Case No. 4:24-CR-1-BO.
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