Former Fox News Contributor Ricci Wynne Indicted on Child Pornography Charges
Ricci Wynne, a former guest contributor for Fox News and self-proclaimed anti-drug activist, is facing new legal scrutiny after a federal grand jury indicted him on child pornography charges on Tuesday.
New Indictment Follows Pimping Allegations
This indictment follows Wynne’s prior arrest in November on suspicion of pimping and pandering. Law enforcement officials have alleged that Wynne exploited vulnerable individuals for financial gain.
The recent indictment, filed in a San Francisco district court, accuses Wynne of compelling minors to participate in ‘sexually explicit conduct’ for visual recordings in April and October 2022.
Court documents further allege Wynne intended to ship or transport these visual depictions.
Discovery of Incriminating Content
Prosecutors reportedly discovered the alleged illicit material when Wynne was apprehended at San Francisco International Airport in late November.
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Authorities seized Wynne’s phone during the arrest, which is where investigators purportedly found the child pornography.
A 30-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, was with Wynne at the time of his arrest. Law enforcement initially suspected Wynne of using her for sex work; however, she was later released.
Following Wynne’s arrest, police secured a search warrant for his apartment. Inside, they discovered over $79,000 in cash, which investigators believe is linked to sex work activities at that location.
Ricci Wynne was indicted on child pornography charges by a federal grand jury on Tuesday
The former Fox News guest and political activist was previously arrested and charged with suspicion of pimping and pandering
Wynne had cultivated a public image as a conservative anti-drug activist, securing appearances on Fox News to promote his cause
Past Allegations and Criminal History
A December court filing stated that Wynne had a ‘history of sexually abusing children,’ according to Assistant US Attorney Eric Cheng.
The filing further claimed that ‘Evidence recently uncovered by investigators reveals (Wynne) not only sexually abused children, but also created video recordings of numerous sexual acts with them,’ as reported by the East Bay Times.
The document also alleged Wynne abused children as young as 12 and is accused of assaulting a 13-year-old on camera.
Wynne’s background includes a criminal past, despite building a public persona as a reformed drug dealer.
In 2018, police investigated a tip indicating he advertised a ‘cocaine buffet’ online.
Subsequently, he faced federal drug charges and a potential 12-year prison sentence. However, his legal team argued he was a victim of abuse and had attempted self-harm while incarcerated. He was released in December 2021 with three years of probation.
Prosecutors now assert that Wynne began grooming young girls after his release from custody.
Wynne is currently detained in California and has entered a not guilty plea to the pimping and pandering charges.