BENTON — A federal jury in Southern Illinois convicted a New Jersey man of attempted solicitation of child pornography after he requested sexually explicit images from an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a 12-year-old.
Nicholas R. Emper, 44, of Sea Isle City, New Jersey, was found guilty of one count stemming from online communications that began in February 2025, according to court documents and evidence presented at trial. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027. The offense carries a prison term of five to 20 years.
Emper asked for child sexual abuse material during the online conversation, believing he was communicating with a minor, according to the court documents and trial evidence.
“This 44-year-old man attempted to get naked pictures from someone he believed was a 12-year-old child. He went to trial claiming he was merely role-playing. The jury rightly rejected that defense, and common sense and the rule of law prevailed,” U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said.
FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley said the agency would continue investigating efforts to exploit children.
“Exploitation doesn’t begin with physical contact; it begins with a willingness to target a child,” Presley said. “That willingness alone is dangerous.”
The FBI led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Sanders and Tom Leggans are prosecuting the case.
