FL Man Found Guilty Of Molesting 13-Year-Old Girl After Jury Trial

NORTH PORT, FL — Steven Russell Nichols was found guilty of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child, lewd or lascivious conduct, and contributing to the delinquency of a child on Tuesday, after a jury trial, according to a news release from State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office.

Nichols used his position of authority to inappropriately touch a 13-year-old girl between June 2022 and February 2023.

The case was investigated by the North Port Police Department and the trial was held over two days at the Sarasota County Courthouse starting on Monday.

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Nichols faces up to 31 years behind bars in the Department of Corrections and he’ll be required to register as a sexual offender, Brodsky’s office said.

He’ll remain in the Sarasota County Jail until his sentencing on Sept. 2.

“For over eight months this child had to endure abuse from someone who she loved and trusted,” Assistant State Attorney Jeff Feher said. “Thanks to the efforts of the North Port Police Department and the Child Protection Center, the child and her mother will now get to move on with their lives.”

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