ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, Mo. (TCD) — A former Boy Scout volunteer will spend over two decades in prison for hiding cameras in bathrooms at a Scout camp in 2021.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced Thursday, May 2, that a judge sentenced David Nelson to 22 years for two counts of production of child pornography and two counts of attempted production of child pornography earlier this year.
Nelson will also have to pay $55,000 in special assessments that will go to a fund for his victims and prevention programs, as well as $6,810 to go toward counseling for the victims. Nelson will be on supervised release for life when he gets out of prison and can’t contact any minors without permission.
According to prosecutors, in July 2021, Nelson placed two cameras in paper towel dispensers in restrooms at the S Bar F Scout Ranch while volunteering. Nelson installed the cameras at an angle toward the shower stall and other areas of the bathroom.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said a Scout leader and Scouts found one of the cameras while cleaning a restroom. They reportedly searched and discovered a second camera before leaders contacted the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department.
According to prosecutors, a deputy noticed Nelson by the restrooms, and the defendant lied, telling the official he was just “looking for a cellphone charger that he’d left in the stall.”
Victims and their parents reportedly spoke at the sentencing hearing and said, “Nelson was supposed to be protecting the Scouts and was supposed to be someone children could trust.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the victims and parents believe Nelson’s crimes “have now left them unable to trust others,” and the victims “now experience fear and discomfort every time they try to use a public bathroom.”
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As a former Scout leader myself, it’s truly disheartening to hear about cases like this where a volunteer abuses their position of trust. It’s vital for organizations like the Boy Scouts to have stringent background checks and ongoing supervision to prevent such heinous acts from occurring. My heart goes out to the victims and their families, and I hope they receive the support and justice they deserve.
How could this volunteer betray the trust of these children and violate their privacy like this? Was there any background check done before allowing him to work with the Boy Scouts?