Nicholson Man Indicted For Child Exploitation Crimes

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Vieira, age 37, of Nicholson, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on charges of production of child pornography, online enticement of a minor, and receipt of child pornography.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Vieira used the internet and an electronic device to persuade and entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct and to produce child pornography. The indictment also alleges that on January 1, 2026 and January 10, 2026, Vieira received child pornography.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

The maximum penalty under federal law for the crimes charged in the Indictment is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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