Minnesota State Wire

Nicholas Richard Lugo, 25, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for distributing child pornography. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

“A 15-year sentence cannot undo the harm Lugo repeatedly inflicted on children, but it delivers justice and protection,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “We are prosecuting several cases like this in federal court today, and every one of them is heartbreaking. Minnesota’s children deserve protection, and those who prey on them will face federal consequences.”

Lugo had previously been convicted in 2021 for first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Hennepin County, Minnesota. He received a stayed sentence of 144 months’ imprisonment, served 180 days in the workhouse, and was placed under five years of predatory offender supervision. In October 2024, while still under supervision, Lugo obtained a cell phone despite restrictions prohibiting him from doing so. He used the unauthorized device to download a social media application and then receive and distribute images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.

The materials involved real children who were victims of abuse that Lugo downloaded and shared.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan presided over the case and described the offense as “one of the more egregious crimes we have in our society” during sentencing.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged the suffering experienced by victims both in this case and Lugo’s prior conviction, emphasizing that offenders must be held accountable to protect children from sexual violence.

The investigation was conducted by the Chaska Police Department along with the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.