San Jose Resident Sentenced To Five Years’ Imprisonment For Possession Of Child Pornography

SAN JOSE – Brian Risso was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Beth L. Freeman, U.S. District Judge.

Risso, 63, of San Jose, pleaded guilty to the charge on June 8, 2023. According to his plea agreement, Risso admitted that in February 2022, he knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). At sentencing, the Court found that these depictions included prepubescent minors and minors engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. According to a court filing, Risso possessed 542 files containing child pornography, including 513 images and 29 videos. 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman ordered Risso to serve 60 months of supervised release, to begin after his prison term and to pay a fine of $25,000; and to pay a $5,100 special assessment. Judge Freeman scheduled a hearing to decide issues regarding restitution for April 9, 2024. 

Assistant United States Attorney Neal C. Hong is prosecuting the case. This case is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.