Federal Jury Convicts Chilton County Man for Transporting Two Minors and Producing, Transporting, and Possessing Child Pornography

BIRMINGHAM – A federal jury today convicted a Chilton County man on multiple counts of transporting two minor girls for illegal sexual activity and producing, transporting, and possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E, Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr.

The jury returned a guilty verdict against BRUCE NICHOLSON, 56, after three days of testimony before U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Haikala.  A sentencing date has not been set.

BRUCE NICHOLSON was convicted of multiple charges for production, transportation, and possession of child pornography and transporting two minors with the intent to engage in unlawful sexual activity with them.  The evidence at trial demonstrated that, for years, NICHOLSON had sexually abused his minor daughter and minor stepdaughter.  In mid-2012, after impregnating his stepdaughter with twins, NICHOLSON fled the state of Alabama with both girls.  He was apprehended in another state more than a month later.

NICHOLSON was indicted in 2016 on Mann Act and child pornography charges.  Forensic examination of NICHOLSON’s devices revealed images of child pornography, including one image he had directed his stepdaughter to produce and send him. 

“This man stole the innocence of two girls and a large part of their childhoods, and he had every intention of stealing the rest,” Town said.  “This guilty verdict cannot take away the pain those girls have experienced, but it sends a message loud and clear to this defendant and every other sexual abuser.  It also is another example of the courage that survivors of this abuse continue to show so that not another second of their lives is taken by these disgusting criminals.”

“Taking away the innocence of a child is deplorable and inexcusable,” Sharp said. “I am proud of the work done by my agents and our partners to hold Nicholson accountable for these crimes.”

FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys J.B. Ward and Don Long are prosecuting.