Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Kevin Rizo was sentenced by United States District Judge Joanna Seybert to 17 years in prison for sexually exploiting a minor. Rizo will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. Rizo pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2021.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), announced the sentence.
“The defendant’s sextortion is unconscionable and extremely harmful to the young boy who should be commended for bravely coming forward to law enforcement to stop this predator,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s substantial prison sentence will protect the community here and elsewhere from Rizo, who trolled the Internet for more than 100 boys to entice and terrorize. I urge parents and caregivers to have frank conversations with their children about the dangers of communicating online with strangers who can pretend to be anyone or anything while making inappropriate requests for photos and videos.”
“Rizo preyed on children utilizing the internet and social media applications – using fear to extort them to do his bidding. Sextortion is a growing threat for children online and this significant sentence sends a clear message that those who attempt to exploit and harm children will face serious consequences,” said Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New York.
In December 2016, a 14-year-old boy and his parents reported to Nassau County police officers that on the night of November 30, 2016 to December 1, 2016, the victim had been contacted by Rizo on Instagram, who was using the moniker “Alyssa,” and pretending to be a teenage girl. After the victim complied with “Alyssa’s” request to see explicit photographs and videos of the victim, the defendant threatened to share those photographs and videos with the victim’s friends unless the victim provided even more explicit material. On that same day, several friends of the victim received nude photos of the teen from Rizo.
The government’s investigation revealed that Rizo had communicated with at least 130 boys and that most of them sent him nude images and videos of themselves at his behest. After Rizo received the images and videos, he threatened to disseminate them to others, including the boys’ friends and family members, if more images and videos were not sent.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Oren Gleich is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
KEVIN RIZO (also known as “Alyssarxx,” “Alysaflxx,” Alyssa.rxx,” and “Ally.love.15”)
Age: 33
Flushing, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-283 (JS)