A Bryan man is headed to federal prison for more than a decade after authorities said he coerced minors and stockpiled what investigators called sadistic child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors said the case centered on explicit online communications with a 14-year-old and a disturbing collection of files discovered on his devices. The 168-month sentence comes with supervised release and restitution once he is out, and officials are calling the outcome a significant result from a coordinated local and federal investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Bryan resident sentenced to 14 years for sadistic exploitation of children #ProjectSafeChildhood #Houston https://x.com/i/status/2029682906214302011
— usao_sdtx (@usao_sdtx) March 5, 2026
Sentence, Plea and Court Orders
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, 27-year-old Reuben Waller Boyer pleaded guilty on Sept. 23, 2025, and appeared for sentencing Thursday before U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal. The judge imposed 14 years for coercion and enticement of minors and 10 years for possession of child sexual abuse material, with both terms to run at the same time, for a total term of 168 months in federal prison. The court further ordered Boyer to pay $3,000 in restitution to an identified victim and to serve five years of supervised release after he completes his prison sentence.
How Investigators Say the Crimes Unfolded
The same Justice Department release stated that investigators traced an online user to a public KIK chat on Feb. 19, 2021, where they located a MEGA link that held about 70 videos. A forensic examination of Boyer’s seized electronic devices later turned up more than 1,000 images and videos that investigators said depicted the sadistic sexual abuse of pre-pubescent children. Authorities reported that communications between Boyer and a 14-year-old detailed live child pornography that Boyer directed the minor to create for his sexual gratification. The FBI Bryan Resident Agency led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis Batarse prosecuted the case.
Local Timeline and Earlier Filings
Earlier coverage by KBTX outlined the original federal indictment and arrest, noting that Boyer was taken into custody at his home in Bryan and that agents executed a search warrant that recovered a 64GB USB drive and a laptop, according to court records cited by KBTX. That reporting said the indictment alleged the distribution of illicit files between Feb. 19 and March 3, 2021, and described the multi-agency investigative effort that led to the federal charges. Boyer remains in custody while awaiting transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility.
Part of a Wider Federal Effort
Federal prosecutors said the case was pursued under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to coordinate federal, state and local responses to online child sexual exploitation, according to the DOJ’s Project Safe Childhood materials. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the sentence is one example of ongoing work to identify and hold accountable individuals who use online platforms to exploit minors.
Where To Get Help
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and contact local law enforcement right away. To report suspected online sexual exploitation of a minor or seek guidance, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline is available at report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
