A Boise man has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, according to court documents.
Nickolas James Parnell, 27, formerly of Boise, and currently residing in Medford, Oregon, pleaded guilty yesterday in United States District Court to possession of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez announced.
According to the plea agreement, in May of 2016, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant on Parnell’s residence in Boise, Idaho, based upon evidence that Parnell had used a computer to access child pornography.
Two laptop computers and two DVDs belonging to Parnell were seized. When agents examined the laptops and DVDs, they discovered 2,190 still images and three videos containing child pornography. In February of 2017, agents served another search warrant on Parnell’s residence in Boise, Idaho, based upon evidence that he was in possession of additional videos containing child pornography.
Agents seized a laptop computer, and a forensic search of the computer revealed 3,393 saved images of child pornography, 13 videos containing child pornography, and 3,077 deleted images containing child pornography. In all, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified 290 still images and one video contained known child pornography victims from identified series of child pornography.
Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life, and a $5,000 special assessment.
Sentencing is set for September 1, 2017, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the government to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
As part of his plea, Parnell also agreed to forfeit the computers and electronic storage devices used in the commission of the charged offense.
Parnell faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life.
Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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