Man Sentenced in Child Exploitation Case

Reno, Nev. — A 28-year-old Sparks man is heading to prison in a child exploitation case that began in 2024, according to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.

Orion Scott Pickens was sentenced this week to two to five years in the Nevada Department of Corrections, authorities said in a Thursday, Jan. 8, Facebook post.

The investigation began in June 2024 when the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding uploads of Child Sexual Abuse Material to the social media platform X.

Investigators traced the activity to an IP address in Sparks, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. Detectives determined the account access and uploads originated from the same residence.

With a search warrant, investigators seized Pickens’ cell phone. A review of the data and a digital forensic analysis conducted by the Northern Nevada Cyber Center uncovered additional evidence, authorities said.

Deputies arrested Pickens on Oct. 29, 2024, on felony charges, including possession, distribution, and use of the internet to control Child Sexual Abuse Material involving a minor under the age of 16.