A man from Gloucester County pleaded guilty Monday to producing and distributing images of child sexual abuse.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito says 24-year-old Andrew Nicholas of Williamstown entered a guilty plea to an information charging him with one count of sexually exploiting children and one count of distributing child pornography.

Authorities say,

On Feb. 26, 2019, an undercover officer entered a public Kik Messenger group and began communicating with Nicholas, who sent the officer images of child sexual abuse involving a prepubescent minor. Nicholas admitted to producing those images of child sexual abuse and sending them to the officer through Kik Messenger.

The Courier-Post reports Nicholas was arrested on February 27th, 2019. Authorities raided his house and seized cellphones, computer equipment, and other items.

The count of sexually exploiting children carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, which could be up to 50 years, and a $250,000 fine. The distribution of child pornography count carries a five to 40 year prison sentence and a fine of $250,000 per count.

Sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, 2021.

Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Philadelphia Division, and the Washington, D.C., FBI Field Office, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. This case was initiated by the FBI, Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and worked in partnership with the FBI, Philadelphia Field Office, and local law enforcement agencies.

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