A Knightdale mechanic who worked at his family’s auto shop is headed to federal prison for 17½ years after admitting he distributed child sexual abuse material, according to prosecutors. Daniel Shane Tyrolf, 35, was sentenced Monday and ordered to serve 25 years of supervised release and to pay a $5,000 assessment. Investigators say the illegal files were traced to both his home and Tyrolf Automotive in Knightdale.
Prosecutors call him a 'spider'
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a U.S. Attorney’s Office release that U.S. Attorney W. Ellis Boyle compared offenders like Tyrolf to "spiders" hiding in dark corners of the internet. According to the release, Tyrolf pleaded guilty on November 3, 2025, and U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III handed down the 17½-year prison term along with the 25-year term of supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.
How investigators traced the activity
As reported by the News & Observer, the investigation began after the social app Kik reported a user distributing child sexual abuse material to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. That tip led investigators to IP addresses that matched Tyrolf’s residence and his workplace, Tyrolf Automotive, prompting the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and Knightdale Police to join the FBI in the probe. Court records reviewed by the paper show Tyrolf was arrested in September 2025.
Raids, seized devices and files
Federal authorities executed search warrants on April 29, 2025, at Tyrolf’s home and at the family auto shop, seizing multiple electronic devices, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office release. Prosecutors said one tablet alone held more than 600 images of prepubescent children and that Tyrolf uploaded nearly 100 files of child sexual abuse material to both private and group chats. The illegal activity dated back to at least March 2020, the office said.
Small-town shop under scrutiny
Public records show Tyrolf’s parents founded Tyrolf Automotive in 2006, and the business has long been a familiar presence on Knightdale Boulevard. The shop’s website lists its address as 7513 Knightdale Blvd #3, along with contact information and operating hours. Local officials quoted in news coverage praised the multiagency investigation and said they remain committed to protecting children; reporting by the News & Observer and the shop’s own site confirm those details.
Case status and where to find filings
Tyrolf pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of distribution of child pornography and was sentenced in Case No. 5:25-CR-220-D before U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. Formal filings and docket entries are available through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and PACER. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina maintains public docket information, and the Justice Department release lists the case number for reference.
