SAN JOSE – Brian Robert Risso appeared in federal court today to face charges that he possessed child pornography announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair.
According to the federal complaint filed on February 18, 2022, Risso, 61, of San Jose, is alleged to have possessed 513 images and 29 videos of child pornography on his personal Apple iMac computer at his residence. Additional documents filed by the government also describe the discovery of approximately 233,000 “manifest keys” on the iMac computer that are used to download files. In documents related to Risso’s detention, the government argued the keys were linked to files with names that suggest the keys allowed for access to videos of illegal child pornographic materials. The complaint charges Risso with one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2).
At the time of his arrest, Risso was employed by the City of Campbell as a maintenance technician at the Campbell Community Center.
Risso was arrested on February 18, 2022, and appeared this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen to address issues related to his detention before trial. Risso currently is released on bond and is next scheduled to appear on March 15, 2022, before Magistrate Judge van Keulen, to address further issues regarding Risso’s release from detention.
A complaint merely alleges that a crime has been committed. Risso is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Kassabian is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Susan Kreider and Claudia Hyslop. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.