A Washington, D.C. man has been charged with distributing child pornography, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. The complaint against Angel Anthony Rios, 29, was unsealed today.
“Those who exploit children will find no refuge,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “My office will pursue swift and decisive prosecution of anyone involved in the creation, possession, or distribution of child sexual abuse material.”
Court documents indicate that beginning December 18, 2025, Rios exchanged messages on X with another user about various topics including politics. During these exchanges, Rios expressed a sexual interest in children and claimed he communicated with the father of a three-year-old boy who sent him videos depicting the child’s sexual abuse. Rios then distributed five videos showing this abuse. At one point in his communications, Rios stated, “Kids are here to be used.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the charges.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Janani Iyengar.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in February 2006 to protect children from online exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local efforts to identify offenders and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
It is important to note that charges contained in a complaint are allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
