A 31-year-old man from Spokane Valley has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his involvement in child sexual abuse. Nicholas J. Thieschafer was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice on Thursday, after being convicted of producing and attempting to produce child sexual abuse material.
The case dates back to February 2023 when a brave child came forward to report the abuse by Thieschafer. The child also revealed that Thieschafer had been using his phone to take disturbing pictures.
When investigators searched Thieschafer’s home, they uncovered a shocking 3,300 image and video files of child sexual abuse material, including 877 images featuring the child who had made the report. The evidence also included videos in which Thieschafer could be seen abusing the child.
“The safety of our children is a top priority, and we will hold anyone who harms them fully accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rich Barker. “We are committed to protecting vulnerable communities, especially our children, in Eastern Washington.”
In addition to the lengthy prison sentence, Thieschafer will face a lifetime of supervised release and must pay over $63,000 in restitution to his victims.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of standing up against abuse and ensuring justice for those who cannot protect themselves.
