NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Queens man was sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually exploiting a 14-year-old boy on the internet, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Back in December 2016, a 14-year-old boy and his parents reported to Nassau County police officers that Kevin Rizo, of Flushing, had contacted the victim the month before.
Rizo, 33, pretended to be a teenage girl who went by “Alyssa” on Instagram. Through the fake profile, Rizo asked the victim to send explicit photos and videos of himself, according to court documents.
After the victim sent the explicit material, Rizo threatened to share the photos and videos with the victim’s friends unless he sent even more inappropriate material. Rizo then sent the boy’s friends nude photos of the victim that same day, officials said.
Over the course of an investigation, Rizo was found to have communicated with at least 130 boys, most of whom sent him nude images and videos of themselves to him after his request. Rizo would also use threats to get them to send him more explicit material.
“Rizo preyed on children utilizing the internet and social media applications – using fear to extort them to do his bidding,” said Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New York. “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.”
Rizo pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a minor in September 2021. He will also be required to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison.
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