Wenatchee Man Sentenced to Prison for 20 Years for Making Child Pornography

May 24, 2010 - SPOKANE—James A. McDevitt, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Russell Dale Riker, age 51, of Wenatchee, Washington was sentenced yesterday for producing child pornography that he then traded over the Internet.

The investigation centered on Russell Riker when a man in California was arrested and questioned concerning child pornography he had been receiving over the Internet. On August 7, 2008, a federal search warrant was executed at Russell Riker’s home in Wenatchee, Washington. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol seized a computer and electronic storage devices containing images of child pornography. Two children were identified as the subjects of child pornography that Russell Riker produced. Russell Riker was arrested on August 7, 2008, and has remained in custody ever since. In August 2008, Russell Riker was charged by grand jury indictment for producing child pornography and on February 25, 2010, Russell Riker pleaded guilty to producing child pornography.

Russell Dale Riker was ordered to serve 240 months in prison, followed by a life term of court supervision after he is released from prison. Russell Riker will be required to register as a sex offender for his lifetime.

James A. McDevitt, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said, “In our society, some like Mr. Riker must be locked up to protect our children. The scars he inflicted will take a lifetime to heal. The national network of dedicated law enforcement officers are commended for their cooperation and communication in this case, which resulted in a quick arrest and protection for the victims.”

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. The Project Safe Childhood (PSC) Initiative has five major components:

• Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue child victims

• Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives

• Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases

• Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents

• Community awareness and educational programs

To report these crimes, visit www.cybertipline.com or call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s hotline at 1-800-843-5678. This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Lister, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.