Kyle White, the operator of an online pornography marketplace called “The Ho Zone,” has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for advertising and distributing child pornography. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon after White pled guilty on October 21, 2025.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, stated: “Kyle White’s operation of the large-scale online pornography marketplace he callously dubbed ‘The Ho Zone’ caused immeasurable harm to his over one thousand child and adult victims whose sexual abuse materials he distributed to thousands of paying customers. White’s high-volume, illegal pornography enterprise earned him a staggering profit at the expense of innocent children and young women whose sexual trauma he broadcast to the world. There is a clear message from today’s 20-year sentence: anyone who seeks to profit from the sexual exploitation of children will face justice for their heinous crimes. Every New York family wants Kyle White’s ‘Ho Zone’ operation shut down and Mr. White off the streets.”
Court documents show that White managed “The Ho Zone” on Telegram, earning more than $387,000 by selling access to illegal pornographic content. The material was organized into multiple groups and channels with names such as “Other Teen (18+) Leaks,” “THZ Black Market,” “MOST POPULAR GIRLS LISTS,” and others. Content was categorized by victim name, offering free previews before users paid between $15 and $75 for full access.
White sold child pornography depicting victims as young as 11 years old and also included material involving siblings who were both minors. Additionally, he sold illegally obtained adult content sourced through hacking or blackmail; most featured women aged between 18 and 23 years old.
Despite knowing his activities were illegal, White continued operating due to financial gain. In communications with another user, he admitted making over $300,000 in his first year running “The Ho Zone” and expressed reluctance to stop because it would mean giving up significant earnings.
After FBI agents searched his home and seized electronic devices, White obstructed justice by pretending to help shut down “The Ho Zone” while secretly continuing its operation using a backup account on a new phone.
Victims are encouraged to visit https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/THZVictims for resources that may assist them.
In addition to his prison term, White will serve 20 years of supervised release following completion of his sentence. Jay Clayton praised the work done by the Federal Bureau of Investigation—especially victim specialists from its New York Division—in bringing this case forward.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea L. Scism is leading the prosecution under supervision from the Office’s General Crimes Unit.
