Galloway Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Pornography After Recording 12-Year-Old Girl in Bathroom

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Justin M. Nickell, 36, of Galloway, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of distribution of child pornography.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Westerville Police Chief Joseph Morbitzer, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and other members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the plea entered into before U.S. District Chief Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

According to the Statement of Facts in this case, Nickell communicated with an undercover task force officer posing online as a single mother of three children. The officer advertised that he was looking to chat with “open minded, taboo men” and Nickell responded.

During conversation on the Kik Messenger App, Nickell routinely made comments indicating that he wished to engage in sexual activity with the undercover persona’s three fictitious children. He also told the officer he secretly recorded a 12-year-old girl in his household getting out of the shower and drying off, and would then masturbate to the video afterwards. Nickell sent a screen shot from one of the videos to the officer. Nickell admitted to hiding his phone in a container in the bathroom under some clothing and also to recording her outside of the bathroom by placing his phone under the door.

On more than one occasion, Nickell sent nude photos of the 12-year-old girl to the undercover officer.

Nickell was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 23.

As part of his plea agreement, all parties have recommended a term of incarceration between 150 and 180 months. Chief Judge Sargus will consider that recommendation at a future sentencing hearing.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the Franklin County ICAC and Assistant United States Attorneys Heather A. Hill and Jessica H. Kim, who are representing the United States in this case.

# # #