Huron County man sentenced after feds find thousands of files containing child sexual abuse materials

HURON COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - Federal authorities said a Northeast Ohio man is heading to prison for possessing more than 6,000 files containing child sexual abuse materials.

Ricardo Gibson, of Willard, Ohio, was sentenced to 292 months, over 24 years, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick, according to federal court records.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Gibson pleaded guilty in May to the following charges:

• Receipt and distribution of child pornography / child sexual abuse materials (CSAM)
• Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition (following a previous conviction for the same offense in 2002)

Federal authorities said agents began investigating Gibson in May 2023 following a report from an online marketplace seller.

The seller told investigators a man buying used children’s clothing had sent provocative images of young girls through the platform’s chat and expressed sexual interest in children.

Investigators identified Gibson and executed a search warrant at his residence.

Inside, the DOJ said agents found two cellphones, adult sex toys, little girls’ clothing, two handguns, three magazines and 19 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.

Investigators later searched Gibson’s electronics and found roughly 6,448 files containing child sexual abuse material, according to authorities.

In addition to prison time, the 46-year-old was ordered to pay $42,000 in reparations to victims and will serve 20 years of supervised release.