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Date: 10-21-2018

Case Style:

United States of America v. Bruce Nicholson

Case Number:

Judge: Madeline Haikala

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Jefferson County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: J.B. Ward and Don Long

Defendant's Attorney: Hube Dodd

Description: Birmingham, AL - Federal Jury Convicts Chilton County Man for Transporting Two Minors and Producing, Transporting, and Possessing Child Pornography

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.”


Charge:


18:2423(a)-COERCION OR ENTICEMENT OF MINOR FEMALE
(1)
18:2423(a)-COERCION OR ENTICEMENT OF MINOR FEMALE
(2)
18:2423(b)-COERCION OR ENTICEMENT OF MINOR FEMALE
(3)
18:2252A(a)(1)-ACTIVITIES RE MATERIAL CONSTITUTING/CONTAINING CHILD PORNO
(4)
18:2252A(a)(5)(B) & (b)(2)--ACTIVITIES RE MATERIAL CONSTITUTING/CONTAINING CHILD PORNO
(5)
18:2251(a)and(e)-SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
(6)

Outcome: 10/18/2018 112 ORDER as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson: For administrative purposes, the Court extends until April 18, 2019 the term of service for the jurors who sat in this matter, including alternate jurors. Signed by Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala on 10/18/2018. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala:Jury Trial as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson completed on 10/18/2018. Jury deliberations began. Jury VERDICTS finding the dft GUILTY on Counts 1-6 of the Indictment. Jury released. Dft's various renewed oral motions - oral order denying. Dft remanded to custody of USM pending sentencing. (Court Reporter Julie Martin.) (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 113 Jury Question as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 114 JURY VERDICT as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson (1) Guilty on Count 1. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 115 JURY VERDICT as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson (1) Guilty on Count 2. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 116 JURY VERDICT as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson (1) Guilty on Count 3. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 117 JURY VERDICT as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson (1) Guilty on Count 4. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 118 JURY VERDICT as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson (1) Guilty on Count 5. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 119 JURY VERDICT as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson (1) Guilty on Count 6. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 120 TEXT ORDER as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson: The Court SETS this matter for Sentencing at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, 2/13/2019, CR 7B, Hugo L Black US Courthouse, Birmingham, AL. Signed by Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala on 10/18/2018. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
10/18/2018 121 EXHIBIT LIST by USA as to Bruce Mitchell Nicholson. (Attachments: # 1 GX 1 - Photo of J.N., # 2 GX 2 - Photo of K.M., # 3 GX 12 - Photo of Bruce Nicholson from Polaroid Digital Camera, # 4 GX 14 - Polaroid Digital Camera, # 5 GX 17 - Acer Laptop, # 6 GX 18 - Samsung Verizon Cell Phone, # 7 GX 20 - Lingerie from dft's truck, # 8 GX 21 - Bag containing sex toys, # 9 GX 22 - Photo of dft's F150 truck, # 10 GX 27 - GE Capital records, # 11 GX 28 - Value Place records, # 12 GX 29 - Extended Stay records). Govt's child pornography exhibits 9-11, 15, 16 (CD containing child pornography images), 19, 25, and 35-39 filed under seal per Court's oral order. (YMB) (Entered: 10/18/2018)

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