New Jersey man convicted of soliciting child pornography in southern Illinois

BENTON, Ill. - A southern Illinois jury convicted a New Jersey man of asking a purported minor for child pornography.

A jury found Nicholas R. Emper, 44, of Sea Isle City, New Jersey, guilty of one count of attempted solicitation of child pornography.

"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," said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. "This office will never relent in our pursuit of online predators."

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Emper began communicating with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a 12-year-old minor in February 2025. During the online conversation, Emper asked the minor for child sexual abuse material.

"Exploitation doesn't begin with physical contact; it begins with a willingness to target a child," said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley. "That willingness alone is dangerous. This verdict shows that our communities will not tolerate those who seek opportunities to exploit the vulnerable. The FBI Springfield Field Office will continue to confront that danger head on."

Penalties for attempted solicitation of child pornography are five to 20 years' imprisonment. Emper's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027.

FBI led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Sanders and Tom Leggans are prosecuting the case.