Show-Me State Times

U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced a former Boy Scout volunteer to 22 years in prison for hiding cameras in bathrooms at a St. Francois County, Missouri scout camp. David Lee Nelson was also ordered to pay special assessments for victims and prevention programs, as well as for counseling for the victims involved in the case.

Nelson, who hid cameras in paper towel dispensers at the S Bar F Scout Ranch in St. Francois County, pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography and two counts of attempted production of child pornography. Following his release from prison, he will be on supervised release for life with special conditions, including a prohibition against contact with minors without permission.

During the sentencing, victims and their parents expressed their disappointment in Nelson, stating that he was supposed to protect the scouts and be someone children could trust. The victims shared that Nelson's actions have left them feeling unable to trust others and have instilled fear and discomfort in them whenever they use a public bathroom.

The case was investigated by the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Drake prosecuting the case. This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.