A Manhattan federal judge on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, sentenced Kyle White to 20 years in prison for operating an online pornography marketplace known as the Ho Zone, according to federal prosecutors. The case, brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, has drawn scrutiny for its mix of hacked adult content and child sexual material traded over encrypted channels.
"Anyone, anywhere who seeks to profit from the sexual exploitation of children will face justice," U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said. "Every New York family wants the Ho Zone shut down," Clayton added, according to a post by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York. The office cast the sentence as the capstone of a long-running, multi-jurisdictional investigation into the marketplace.
What prosecutors allege
Federal prosecutors say White ran "The Ho Zone" on Telegram, where he organized paid channels and sold access to curated collections that included both hacked adult content and child sexual abuse material. The complaint alleges that some images and videos showed minors as young as 11 and that White charged subscribers between $15 and $75 for permanent access, claiming to have pulled in more than $300,000 in the first year. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also says the case is supervised by its General Crimes Unit and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea L. Scism, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York.
FBI outreach for victims
The FBI’s New York Division has asked potential victims, including influencers, athletes, teenagers and people targeted in sextortion or phone hacks, to complete a confidential questionnaire so investigators can identify who was harmed and assess restitution. The bureau says responses are voluntary but may lead to contact from agents and could determine eligibility for services. These instructions and the intake form are posted on the bureau’s site, according to the FBI.
Sentence and statute
White was charged with advertisement, receipt and distribution of child pornography, offenses that carry statutory mandatory minimum sentences of 15 years and five years respectively, although judges set the final penalties at sentencing. Prosecutors said the 240 month term imposed by the court reflects the gravity of the offenses as described in earlier charging documents, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York. The release outlines the charges and the potential statutory ranges.
Resources for victims
Anyone who believes they were victimized by The Ho Zone is encouraged to fill out the FBI's short online form and review listed support services such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and StopNCII. The FBI stresses confidentiality and provides crisis contacts along with guidance on legal and counseling services on its victim information page. The FBI includes the questionnaire and links to resources.
Prosecutors said the sentence is intended to deter others who operate marketplaces that traffic in exploitative sexual material and to highlight ongoing efforts to dismantle online networks that enable abuse. Authorities say they are still seeking tips and information through official channels as the investigation continues.
