Wyoming Judge Sentences Unlawfully Present National to 30 Years for Child Exploitation Crimes
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A Nicaraguan national residing illegally in Laramie has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for the production of child sexual abuse material, following a multi-agency investigation that uncovered thousands of illicit files and video evidence of abuse.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin sentenced Maycon Stiven Molina Perez, 23, to 360 months behind bars, followed by 10 years of supervised release. The court further ordered Molina Perez to pay restitution to the victims. Due to his immigration status as an undocumented foreign national, Molina Perez is expected to face deportation proceedings immediately upon the conclusion of his prison term.
The investigation began on July 8, 2025, when the mother of a minor victim discovered a video on the defendant’s phone depicting him sexually assaulting a child. She immediately contacted the Laramie County Police Department and surrendered the device to authorities.
According to court documents, law enforcement agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force executed a search warrant and discovered over 1,400 files of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the defendant’s Samsung Galaxy phone. The material included videos of the assault which occurred in the defendant’s home, as well as other graphic content involving infants and toddlers.
Molina Perez attempted to flee the jurisdiction after the initial discovery, traveling to Colorado. Law enforcement located and apprehended him later that same day. A subsequent search of an iPhone in his possession revealed an additional 1,280 illicit image files and videos. Investigators found he had been distributing the material via encrypted messaging apps including Telegram and WhatsApp.
“The pain caused by these crimes is immeasurable, and no sentence can undo the trauma inflicted on the victim and their family,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith in a statement following the sentencing. Smith emphasized that the judgment sends a clear message that individuals committing such crimes will be held accountable regardless of their origin.
From a legal perspective, the defense likely faced a difficult challenge given the physical evidence and the “production” charge, which carries significantly harsher penalties than simple possession. Production charges imply the creation of the material, which federal sentencing guidelines treat with extreme severity due to the direct victimization of a minor. While defense attorneys in similar cases often argue for leniency based on the defendant’s age or lack of prior criminal history, the documented assault on a child typically overrides such mitigating factors in federal court.
This case highlights the role of the CyberTipline and local vigilance in combating child exploitation. While many investigations start with digital tips from service providers, this case was initiated by a direct report from a guardian, a factor that law enforcement officials cite as critical for immediate intervention. The operation involved coordination between the Laramie County Police Department, the Wyoming DCI, and federal prosecutors.
Molina Perez remains in federal custody and will be transferred to a Bureau of Prisons facility to begin his sentence. Under federal law, there is no parole in the federal prison system.
justice.gov
