Gregory Dightman, Child Pornography Production, Nebraska 2023

Child Pornography Scandal Rocks Lincoln, Nebraska

A Lincoln, Nebraska man has been sentenced to 20 1/2 years in prison for producing child pornography, according to a recent sentencing in the United States District Court in Lincoln, Nebraska. Gregory Dightman, 53, was found guilty of four counts of production of child pornography. The charges stem from a 2019 investigation into Dightman’s activities as a professional photographer.

On November 19, 2019, the Lincoln Police Department received a child abuse/neglect intake from the Department of Health and Human Services. A mother reported that her 16-year-old daughter had been taking nude photographs with Dightman. LPD received search warrants for Dightman’s home and studio area where photos were taken. Dightman consented to talk to law enforcement and admitted that he knew how old the girl was and that he had taken nude photographs of her.

Through the examination of Dightman’s devices and interviews with other young women, it was determined that Dightman had created pornographic images of at least four young ladies who were minors at the time the photos were created/taken. The conduct spanned from 2009 until 2019. The victims were between the ages of 16 and 17 when Dightman took the sexually explicit photographs. The investigation revealed that Dightman would pay the victims for the photo shoots. Between the four young women, approximately 590 child pornographic images were recovered.

Gregory Dightman, the defendant, was sentenced to 20 1/2 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release on each count, with the sentences to be served concurrently. He was also ordered to pay $12,000, which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of cases.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The investigation was conducted by the Lincoln Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Gregory Dightman’s crimes are a stark reminder of the dangers of child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in reporting suspicious activity. The sentencing of Dightman serves as a warning to those who would engage in such heinous activities.

As part of the sentencing, Dightman was ordered to pay $12,000 to contribute to funds established for victims of child pornography cases. This is a small step towards justice for the victims, but it is a crucial one. We must continue to work towards eradicating child exploitation and abuse in our communities.

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