Evans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Charges
Ryan Thomas Manley, 44, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty in federal court to production and possession charges.
According to official records released on August 11, 2026, by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia, Ryan Thomas Manley, 44, of Evans, Georgia, pled guilty in federal district court to six counts of Production with Intent to Distribute Child Pornography and one count of Possession of Child Pornography, announced Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
As described in the plea agreement, from January to February 2025, Manley produced morphed images of real minor victims with intent to distribute sexually explicit conduct through electronic means. The guilty plea subjects Manley to a statutory penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment for the six counts of Production with Intent to Distribute Child Pornography and up to 20 years imprisonment for Possession of Child Pornography. Additional penalties include substantial fines, sex offender registration, and a maximum life term of supervised release upon completion of any prison term, with no parole in the federal system.
“The children depicted in this CSAM case are not anonymous victims; they are real children whose suffering will continue long after this defendant is incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “Today’s guilty plea is a reminder that every child deserves justice, dignity, and protection. This office along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to investigate and prosecute those who possess or produce CSAM.”
“By receiving and intending to distribute these images, Manley participated in the continuing abuse and exploitation of children,” said Supervisory Senior Special Agent Matt Ploskunak of FBI Atlanta’s Augusta Resident Agency. “Children must be protected from sexual exploitation, and we remain committed to investigating the possession and distribution of child pornography.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons. Information regarding victims of child exploitation can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline at report.cybertip.org or 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
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- Version 120 Aug 2026, 13:20current
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