Byron Man admits distributing child pornography videos

ROCHESTER, MN (KROC-AM News) – Multiple cyber tips regarding suspected child sexual abuse material received by the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office two years ago have led to the conviction of a Byron man.

Court documents suggest so 40-year-old James Ryan Savells was indicted in April 2023 on two counts of distribution of child pornography and three additional counts of possession of child pornography. The criminal complaint says the sheriff's office began an investigation after receiving cyber tips from three social media sites about 27 sexually explicit videos featuring children that were sent to other people.

The charges indicate that the investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at Savells' Byron home, during which investigators seized two cell phones, two computers and several USB drives. According to the court document, nine videos and 325 images containing child sexual abuse materials were found on the devices.

According to the criminal complaint, Savells told investigators that he was not actively looking for child pornography, but that he was curious about it and stored it on a cell phone. The charges also state that Savells admitted to “sending CSAM to others when he is upset about the interactions he has with them.”

On Tuesday, Savells pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession. The other two possession charges were dropped.

He is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

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