Commonwealth v. Ricky Austin Horton; Sex Offender Sentenced to Over 50 Years for Proposing Sex Acts with Child he Believed to be 11 Years Old

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Ricky Lee Horton, age 65, formerly of the 6400 block of Dove Street in Norfolk, Virginia was sentenced on charges of Propose Sex Act by Communication System Victim <15, Offender 7+ years Older, Attempted Indecent Liberties (6 counts), Possession of Child Pornography, Possession of Child Pornography-2^nd or subsequent Offense (4 counts), and a Violation of Probation. Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Mahan sentenced Horton to 105 years in prison with 54 years suspended, leaving 51 years to serve.  Horton was on probation at the time of these offenses, therefore was also sentenced today to serve five (5) years and six (6 months) in prison for violating the terms of his probation, bringing his total sentence to 56 years and 6 (six) months to serve.

Horton pled guilty on March 12, 2025.   Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proven that between August 18, 2024, and September 18, 2024, Ricky Horton engaged in multiple online conversations with a person he believed to be an 11-year-old girl named "Emily." During these conversations, Horton stated multiple times that he wanted to engage in sexual intercourse and cunnilingus with “Emily.” He sent “Emily” multiple videos of himself naked with his penis exposed and a video of himself masturbating. Multiple times, Horton asked "Emily" to send him naked pictures of herself or her genitalia despite believing that she was eleven (11) years old. He requested her address multiple times so that he could go to her home to meet her in person.

Unbeknownst to Horton, he was chatting with a member of a group known as "Predator Poachers" who create fake personas to identify people who are attempting to meet, groom, and engage in sexual activities with children. On September 18, 2024, Horton arranged to meet with "Emily" at 200 Post Canyon Road in Virginia Beach for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse. "Predator Poachers" staff and Virginia Beach police officers were waiting at that location and arrested Horton. He was interviewed and consented to a search of his cell phone. A subsequent analysis of the phone revealed 179 photos and videos identified as child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Horton has prior convictions for Attempted Rape, Grand Larceny (3 counts), Statutory Burglary, DUI 2^nd Offense, Fail to Register as a Sex Offender (6 counts), Assault and Battery of a Family Member, Petit Larceny, and multiple Contempt of Court and probation violation charges.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael D. Defricke prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.