Don Ma is an anchor and senior business correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Don is the anchor and producer of NTD's "Business Matters," which airs weekdays at 4:30 pm ET.

Don Ma

NTD Plus

News

Breaking news and in-depth analysis from the United States and beyond. We bring you the latest updates, exclusive insights, and sharp discussions on the most pressing issues. NTD Newsroom airs Monday–Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Newsroom

We Need to Strengthen Our Patent System to Prevent Chinese IP Theft: Inventor

‘The Chinese Communist Party Is an Existential Enemy of the United States’: China Analyst

Economist Expects US Dollar ‘to Strengthen’ After US–China Talks

Arleen Richards is NTD's legal correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers all major legal stories. Arleen holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.).


Arleen Richards

Global Celebrations for World Falun Dafa Day Represent ‘Being True, Good and Enduring’: Jan Jekielek

Man Who Visited Every Country Shares Tips on How to Travel With Purpose

China Is ‘Helping Iranian Regime Kill Americans’: Former CIA Operations Officer

Economic Pressure In Hormuz Strait A 'Checkmate Move' From US: Foreign Relations Analyst

Sherry Ning is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers local news.

Sherry Ning

21-Year-Old Falun Dafa Practitioner Shares Story of Parents' Persecution in China

‘It’s an Important Week’ to Honor ‘Courage and Sacrifice’ of Law Enforcement: Former Officer

‘Opening the Strait of Hormuz by Military Means Is Not Far Off’: National Security Expert

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 15)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 14)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 13)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 12)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 11)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 8)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 7)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 6)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 5)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 4)

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

China Sends Warships to Pacific Drill as Tensions With Japan Rise

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

2 US Embassy Personnel Assigned to Cartel Case Killed in Car Accident

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

Gunman Kills 8 Children, Including 7 of His Own, in Louisiana Mass Shooting

Flora Hua is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Flora primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."  

Flora Hua

Trump: Seized Iranian Ship May Have ‘A Gift From China’

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Wildfires Across Georgia and Florida Have Destroyed Nearly 50 Homes and Are Forcing Evacuations

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Warns of China Hacks via Routers, Smart Devices

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

Kelly McBride Ni is a news writer for NTD based in North Carolina. 


Kelly McBride Ni

A Colorado man who prosecutors say used popular social media platforms to lure and exploit dozens of children across the United States and abroad has been sentenced to 84 years in federal prison, following a large-scale investigation into one of Indiana’s most extensive child exploitation cases.

Austin Ryan Lauless, 31, was sentenced Wednesday to 84 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release, according to the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. In September, Lauless pleaded guilty to 13 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, five counts of sex trafficking of a minor, two counts of advertising child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material.

By Dec. 17, investigators had identified 84 victims from nearly every state and at least five foreign countries, with prosecutors noting that additional victims may remain unidentified. According to court documents, between late 2019 and May 2023, Lauless used social media platforms—including Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, Yubo, and Purp—to target minors ages 13 to 17.

“The sheer scale of this investigation and prosecution underscores the relentless commitment of federal law enforcement to dismantle networks of exploitation that prey on our children. Austin Lauless orchestrated a campaign of abuse that spanned nearly every state and multiple countries, leaving behind profound harm,” <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/predator-sentenced-84-years-nationwide-child-exploitation-case-84-victims-across-us">said</a> John Childress, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

“While no punishment can erase the trauma these young survivors endured, today’s sentence sends a clear message: we will pursue predators across every platform, every jurisdiction, and every border until justice is served,” Childress said.

Prosecutors said he impersonated a teenage boy named “Cason Fredrickson,” claiming to be from New York or other cities while actually residing in hotels and motels in Texas and Colorado. To further the deception, he stole photos and videos from another individual’s public Instagram account.

Investigators said Lauless trafficked at least five minor victims, forcing them to engage in sexual acts with adult men. He recorded the abuse and sold the material online via platforms including Discord, Telegram, and MEGA. Prosecutors said he conducted at least 141 financial transactions using Venmo, PayPal, Bitcoin, and CashApp.

Lauless's “criminal methods included misrepresenting his age, identity, background, and likeness to groom minors and create a false sense of safety in online communications,” the U.S. attorney’s office said. “He also used voice modulators and third-party image and video applications to edit content, making it appear as though it was recorded live through social media platforms such as Snapchat.”

Prosecutors said Lauless pretended to be romantically interested in the victims, gave compliments, sent gifts through Amazon, and then instructed minors to produce sexually explicit images and videos.

Lauless threatened to share the victims’ images and videos if they did not comply with his demands or sought help from parents or law enforcement, prosecutors said. Authorities also said at least one victim told Lauless she was considering suicide.

“This case represents one of the most egregious forms of exploitation the FBI investigates. This was not an isolated crime—it was a nationwide and international campaign of exploitation that victimized at least 84 people, including children, and involved the trafficking of human beings,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O’Malley.

“The FBI is committed to identifying offenders who use technology to abuse, manipulate, and control others, and to ensuring they are held fully accountable. Today’s sentence delivers justice for the victims and reinforces that these crimes will not go unanswered,” O’Malley said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that investigators believe additional victims may still be unidentified. “If you or someone you know has been a victim of Lauless, also known online as Cason Fredrickson or APOPHIS, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov,” states the press release.

Latest

Videos

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

Management

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.

Colorado Man Sentenced to 84 Years for Luring Children Online–84 Victims Identified

Numerals ‘2026’ Arrive in Times Square

UK Names Veteran Diplomat as New Ambassador to Washington

European Farmers Clash With Police Over South America Mercosur Trade Deal

Ford Motors to Take a Nearly $20 Billion Loss—Automotive Expert Weighs In

Placating China Won’t Work, We Can’t Allow Bullying of Taiwan: Security Analyst

Defense Bill Could Be Slimmed Down With Better ‘Discipline’: Retired Lt. Col. Gaub

Jackson Richman is a Washington correspondent for The Epoch Times. In addition to Washington politics, he covers the intersection of politics and sports/sports and culture. He previously was a writer at Mediaite and Washington correspondent at Jewish News Syndicate. His writing has also appeared in The Washington Examiner. He is an alum of George Washington University.

Jackson Richman

Kennedy Center Board Votes to Rename It Trump-Kennedy Center

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (Dec. 18)

Rachel Acenas is an experienced journalist and TV news reporter and anchor covering breaking stories and contributing original news content for NTD's digital team.