Source: Office of United States Attorneys
MEDFORD, Ore.—A Medford man was sentenced to federal prison today for using Snapchat and Kik Messenger, online social media and messaging platforms, to coerce and sexually exploit an Oregon child online.
Nicholas James Shaw, 38, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and a lifetime term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $66,000 in restitution to his victims.
According to court documents, in March 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received CyberTips from Snapchat and Kik Messenger regarding child sexual exploitation materials uploaded to their platforms between October 2021 and April 2022. Investigators traced the accounts to Shaw and learned that, for approximately eight months, Shaw had engaged in sexually explicit communications with a minor online and coerced the victim into producing and sending him sexually explicit photos and videos.
On June 28, 2022, HSI agents executed a federal search warrant on Shaw’s residence and seized several electronic devices which contained child sexual abuse material.
On June 29, 2022, Shaw was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with transportation, receipt, distribution, possession, and access with intent to view child pornography.
On January 21, 2025, Shaw pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor. As part of the plea agreement, Shaw agreed to pay restitution in full to his victims and forfeit criminally derived property used to facilitate his crimes.
This case was investigated by HSI with assistance from the Medford Police Department. It was prosecuted by John C. Brassell, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.