Oklahoma City Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

OKLAHOMA CITY – RICHARD SPILLANE, 30, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for producing child pornography, announced Robert J. Troester of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to a complaint filed on July 16, 2018, law enforcement officers determined that an internet user with an email address linked to Mr. Spillane was engaging in conversations and sharing photographs depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on a network often used to receive and distribute child pornography.  Mr. Spillane was arrested on July 17, 2018, and has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

On August 7, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging Mr. Spillane with two counts of producing child pornography and four counts of knowingly receiving child pornography.  According to the indictment, between October 15, 2017, and July 17, 2018, Mr. Spillane photographed two minors, "John Doe #1" and "John Doe #2," engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  The indictment also alleged he received images via the internet on four specific days in June and July of 2018 that showed children engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

On October 31, 2018, Mr. Spillane pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the indictment and admitted he produced photographs of "John Doe #1" engaging in sexually explicit conduct and distributed them via the internet.

At a hearing this morning, U.S. District Judge Robin J. Cauthron sentenced Mr. Spillane to 30 years in prison—the maximum permitted by law.  The judge underscored the seriousness of the offense and the need to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.  The sentence includes five years of supervised release following Mr. Spillane’s imprisonment.  On April 30, the court will determine the amount of restitution Mr. Spillane will be required to pay to his victims.

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry.  It is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Department of Justice, 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 to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Reference is made to court records for further information.