Angel Anthony Rios, a District resident who had been touting a bid to replace longtime D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, is now fighting a federal child sexual abuse material charge instead of campaigning. Rios, 29, has been held in custody since January and appeared in U.S. District Court on Thursday, where he entered a not guilty plea. A judge scheduled his next court date for next month.
What prosecutors allege
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, a criminal complaint unsealed on Jan. 23 alleges that Rios began exchanging messages on X on Dec. 18, 2025, and admitted to having a sexual interest in children. The complaint says Rios communicated with a man who claimed to be the father of a three-year-old child, received videos showing that child's abuse, and then distributed five video files.
Prosecutors say Rios wrote in one message, "Kids are here to be used." The allegations remain just that for now: they have not been proven in court.
Arraignment and investigation
As reported by WJLA, D.C. police were alerted after a tipster reported that videos had been sent through an X account linked to Rios and that the account was later removed. The station reports an undercover agent then took over an online conversation that led to his arrest, and that Rios has been detained since January.
Rios pleaded not guilty at Thursday's arraignment, according to the station. His attorney declined to comment.
Campaign filings and public profile
Federal Election Commission records list a profile for an "Angel Anthony Rios" who filed statements of candidacy in prior election cycles. Those entries appear to reflect earlier filings and do not necessarily show that he completed a formal D.C. ballot filing this time around.
The Green Papers maintains a running list of declared candidates for the open Delegate seat, and Rios does not appear there, suggesting he had not finished local election paperwork with the city as of the time of reporting.
Legal implications
Distribution of child pornography is a federal felony. Under the federal statute, explained by the Legal Information Institute, offenses involving distribution or receipt typically carry mandatory minimum prison terms of five years and can reach up to 20 years for a first offense. Higher ranges can apply if a defendant has prior convictions or if aggravating circumstances are proven. Convictions usually bring lengthy supervised release and sex offender registration requirements.
The allegations in the complaint against Rios are still unproven, and he is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in court.
Rios is scheduled to return to federal court next month, according to WJLA. The U.S. Attorney's Office says the case was investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in coordination with federal partners. Prosecutors and defense counsel did not immediately offer further public comment.
