Ry Tyler, a 36-year-old from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on April 7 to more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography. The sentencing followed his November 24, 2025, guilty plea in federal court in Sioux City.
The case is significant as it highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address the issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Authorities began investigating Tyler in January 2025 after receiving reports that he was accessing child sexual abuse materials on Russian websites. During the investigation, Tyler appeared on a podcast for sex addicts where he admitted having a sexual interest in children and persistent thoughts involving children in sexual situations.
According to evidence presented at the hearings, Tyler told law enforcement that he had recently deleted images from his computer and described them as “appalling.” A search of his electronic devices revealed over 2,100 images and five videos of child pornography, including material involving infants and toddlers as well as sadistic conduct.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Tyler to 66 months’ imprisonment followed by a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole available in the federal system. Tyler will remain in custody until he is transported to a federal prison.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child exploitation through coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
