District of New Mexico | US Attorney General Gets 20 Years in Prison in Child Abuse Case

ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man has been 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 the court document, between April 18, 2022 and April 24, 2023, Ryan Gallardo24, conspired with his cousin, Yamil Pillado, to send and receive videos of child pornography through 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 the trade in child pornography, Gallardo and Pillado previously discussed child sexual abuse and plans to sexually abuse and register minors. Gallardo which they had access to through relationships with others.

Pillado pleaded 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.

After his release from prison, Gallardo is sentenced to 25 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Alexander MM Uballez and Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in 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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