A former Boy Scout volunteer has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for hiding cameras in scout camp bathrooms and producing child pornography, a shocking betrayal of trust that has left victims and their families scarred for life.
David Lee Nelson, 41, of Redmond, Washington, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Thursday to 22 years in prison for hiding two cameras in bathrooms at the S Bar F Scout Ranch in St. Francois County, Missouri, in July 2021. The cameras were positioned to capture a shower stall and other portions of the bathroom, and were discovered when a scout leader and scouts were cleaning out a restroom stall.
Nelson, who was working as a volunteer at the time, lied to a sheriff’s deputy when questioned about the cameras, saying he was looking for a cell phone charger that he’d left in the stall. But the truth is far more disturbing: Nelson had been using the cameras to produce child pornography, a heinous crime that has left his victims and their families reeling.
Victims and their parents spoke out at Thursday’s hearing, saying that Nelson’s betrayal of trust has left them unable to trust others. ‘He was supposed to be protecting us, not exploiting us,’ one victim said. ‘Now every time we try to use a public bathroom, we feel fear and discomfort.’
Nelson pleaded guilty in January to two counts of production of child pornography and two counts of attempted production of child pornography. He was also ordered to pay $55,000 in special assessments, which will go to a fund for victims and prevention programs, as well as $6,810 to pay for counseling for the victims in this case.
After his release from prison, Nelson will be on supervised release for life, with special conditions that include a prohibition against any contact with minors without permission. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.
The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Drake prosecuting. This case is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting our children from predators like Nelson, who hide behind a mask of trust and innocence.
Related Federal Cases
- 22 Years for Scout Camp Predator: Ex-Volunteer Catches 22 Years for Hiding Cameras on Minors · Washington
- Steven Robert Hill Sentenced for Child Pornography Possession · Iowa
- Christian Cannon Gets 15 Years for Child Porn Distribution · Washington
- Justin X. Carroll Indicted on Child Pornography Charges · Washington
- Andy Earl Crook Pleads Guilty to Child Porn, Sex Travel Scheme · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes