Fulton County Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Child Exploitation Case Following Undercover FBI Investigation

ALBANY, NEW YORK — Ryan Mowrey, 39, of Caroga Lake, New York, has pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of child pornography following an undercover child exploitation investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and members of the FBI Albany Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force.

Federal prosecutors stated Mowrey entered the guilty plea in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York after investigators uncovered online communications involving what Mowrey believed was the parent of an 11-year-old female child.

According to federal authorities, the communications occurred between April and May 2025 during an undercover law enforcement operation targeting individuals attempting to sexually exploit minors through online platforms and digital communication systems.

Investigators stated Mowrey allegedly communicated with an undercover officer posing as the parent of the child and discussed plans involving sexual contact with the minor.

Federal authorities further stated Mowrey ultimately transmitted a video containing child pornography to the undercover operative as part of an effort to establish trust and demonstrate his willingness to engage in criminal sexual exploitation activity involving a child.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated the investigation prevented further escalation before any direct physical abuse involving a child could occur.

“Mowrey distributed child pornography in what appears to be an effort to gain access to a child he wanted to sexually abuse,” Sarcone stated. Before Mowrey was able to engage in the heinous acts he openly discussed with the UC, he was arrested and will now spend years in federal prison.”

Federal prosecutors stated the guilty plea exposes Mowrey to substantial federal penalties under child exploitation statutes.

At sentencing, currently scheduled for Sept. 1, 2026, in Utica, New York, Mowrey faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

Authorities additionally stated he faces a fine of up to $250,000, supervised release ranging from a minimum of five years up to life, and mandatory registration as a sex offender following release from federal custody.

Federal officials noted sentencing determinations ultimately remain subject to judicial review under federal sentencing statutes, United States Sentencing Guidelines calculations, and additional aggravating or mitigating factors presented during court proceedings.

FBI Albany Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated the investigation reflects ongoing federal efforts to identify and disrupt individuals attempting to exploit children through internet-based communication systems and covert online grooming tactics.

“With this plea, Mr. Mowrey is guaranteed to spend at least five years in federal prison for his despicable behavior,” Tremaroli stated. “FBI Albany’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force will continue to use every resource at our disposal to aggressively investigate these predators and hold them accountable for their disturbing actions.”

Federal investigators stated undercover online operations remain a major component of modern child exploitation enforcement efforts due to the increasing use of encrypted messaging systems, anonymous digital communication platforms, social media applications, and internet-based grooming tactics used by offenders attempting to target minors.

Authorities stated many investigations involving attempted child exploitation now originate through online contact attempts, file-sharing activity, illicit image exchanges, covert chat applications, and role-playing scenarios designed to facilitate access to children.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, with Assistant United States Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle prosecuting the matter under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative.

Federal officials describe Project Safe Childhood as a nationwide enforcement program focused on identifying individuals involved in child sexual exploitation offenses, dismantling online exploitation networks, recovering victims, and coordinating federal, state, and local investigative resources targeting internet-based crimes against children.

Federal authorities emphasized that child exploitation investigations remain among the highest enforcement priorities for FBI field offices and federal prosecutors nationwide due to the continuing expansion of online predatory activity targeting minors through digital environments.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

🔥 NOW AVAILABLE! 🔥

‎👉 Eclipsera – Apple Music

---

---

---

---

---