Portland police released information about a month-long investigation that led to the arrest of a suspect charged with 12 felony crimes related to child pornography and luring a minor. The investigation was initiated by the Portland Police Bureau’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.
Portland Police stated that it became aware of the suspect via his habit of taking in child sex abuse imagery. An investigation ensued and it was determined that Kellen D. Nicholson, 18, of Portland, possessed and duplicated child pornography. He also connected online with a 13-year-old victim and engaged in illegal conduct.
Nicholson used online chat rooms to keep in contact and seduce the child. Police said that the predator appears to have purposely targeted the victim based on many factors including their LGBTQ2S+ identity. The family was told about what was going on under their noses.
Nicholson was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on multiple charges including:
-Online Sexual Corruption of a Child In the Second Degree (knowingly uses an online communication to solicit a child to engage in sexual contact or sexually explicit conduct)
-Five counts of Encouraging Sex Abuse in the First Degree (duplication of child sex abuse imagery)
-Five counts of Encouraging Sex Abuse in the Second Degree (possession with intent to view)
-Luring a minor (inducing the minor or purported minor to engage in sexual conduct)
April was Child Abuse Awareness month. Portland police provided information to resources on online safety, child abuse awareness, age appropriate education. If you, and to make a report of suspicious online behavior, please visit https://www.missingkids.org/HOME .
