A 51-year-old Folsom man was arrested Friday and is now facing a federal charge of receiving child sexual abuse material, according to authorities. Paul Richards is accused of downloading and storing images and videos that allegedly depict the sexual abuse of children, with investigators saying the files span from December 2023 through April 2025.
The single-count federal indictment was announced by prosecutors and reported by FOX40. The outlet noted that Richards was arrested in Folsom on Friday and that the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California has filed the charge.
Serious Federal Charge, Serious Time
The federal offense of receiving child sexual abuse material carries a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California. Federal prosecutors often pursue these types of cases as part of Project Safe Childhood, a coordinated national effort to investigate online sexual exploitation of minors.
What Comes Next in the Case
Richards' case will move through the federal court system, and the next steps, including any initial appearance or grand jury action, will be scheduled by prosecutors and the court. Local reporting noted that the arrest took place on Friday in Folsom. As in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If you have information about suspected child sexual exploitation or want to report material, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children operates a cybertipline at NCMEC's CyberTipline. Officials urge anyone with tips to contact law enforcement directly rather than sharing images or videos publicly.
