Ryan Kent Wheeler, Child Exploitation, California 2020

A Citrus Heights man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the sexual exploitation of a child.

Ryan Kent Wheeler, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to 20 years in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release and a $35,000 order of restitution for sexual exploitation of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.

According to court documents, between November 2019 and February 2020, Wheeler set up hidden cameras in a house he shared with the victim to capture nude images of the victim. Wheeler made screen captured still images from video files and sent those still images into a Kik chat group. Agents obtained a search warrant, and recovered the hidden cameras, digital media that stored the files, and other devices.

This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Placer County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Yang prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

The investigation and prosecution of this case was a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies and government officials. The case highlights the importance of Project Safe Childhood and the need for continued efforts to combat child sexual exploitation.

The defendant’s sentencing is a result of the diligent work of investigators and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to bring this case to justice. The sentence imposed by the court reflects the seriousness of the offense and the need to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Ryan Kent Wheeler is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for the sexual exploitation of a child. He was previously living in Citrus Heights, California, and is now in federal custody. Wheeler’s sentence includes 15 years of supervised release and a $35,000 order of restitution.

Mandatory Facts:

• Defendant/Respondent: Ryan Kent Wheeler

• Exact Criminal Charges: Sexual Exploitation of a Child

• City and State: Citrus Heights, California

• Exact Date: between November 2019 and February 2020

• Sentence or Outcome: 20 years in prison, 15 years of supervised release, and a $35,000 order of restitution

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