Nickolas Alonzo Vega pleaded guilty to 3 counts of Using a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct

Attorney General John Kroger today announced the plea and sentencing of a Eugene man for making child pornography.

Nickolas Alonzo Vega (DOB: 11/9/89) pleaded guilty in Lane County Circuit Court to three counts of Using a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The plea bargain resolves similar crimes against victims in Josephine and Clackamas Counties and the State of Kentucky.

Vega is not eligible for early release.

“Vega harmed children in both Oregon and Kentucky. We are happy to see him brought to justice,” said Attorney General Kroger.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Dan Wendel prosecuted the case for the Oregon Department of Justice. The case was investigated by the Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit. Special Agent Page McBeth led the investigation.

Attorney General Kroger’s top legislative priority in 2011 was to fix Oregon’s child pornography law, which was weakened earlier this year by a pair of court rulings.

Senate Bill 803, which clarified that intentionally viewing child pornography is a crime, was overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature.

The public is strongly encouraged to report information involving on-line sexual exploitation of children to their local law enforcement agency or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

The Oregon Department of Justice ICAC unit investigates and prosecutes predators who use the internet to target and sexually exploit children. The unit works with district attorneys, law enforcement agencies and regional task forces that investigate online predators. ICAC is the only program in Oregon that is equipped with the necessary resources to catch sex predators throughout the state.

From 2005 and 2009, 138 internet predators were convicted as a result of ICAC’s work.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.

Contact:

Kate Medema, 503-378-6002, kate.e.medema@doj.state.or.us |