KC Reporter

A Columbia, Missouri man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor and child pornography. William Lee Nichols, 53, faces a five-count indictment returned by the grand jury in Jefferson City, Missouri.

The indictment accuses Nichols of two counts of using the internet and a cell phone to attempt to persuade a minor victim to engage in illicit sexual activity. These alleged offenses took place between June 1, 2019, and February 6, 2023. Additionally, Nichols is charged with attempting to use the minor victim to produce child pornography from January 1, 2021, to February 6, 2023. He also faces charges for distributing child pornography on September 16, 2021, and possessing child pornography on March 16, 2023.

It is important to note that these charges are accusations and not evidence of guilt. The evidence must be presented before a federal trial jury tasked with determining guilt or innocence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner is prosecuting this case following an investigation conducted by the Boone County Sheriff's Department in Missouri.

This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project involves collaboration among federal, state, and local resources to locate and prosecute individuals who exploit children while identifying and rescuing victims.

For further information about Project Safe Childhood or Internet safety education resources, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.