The Henry County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 420 Glen Oak Circle in Ridgeway, on November 20, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged child sexual exploitation.
The investigation began on August 28, when the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SOVA ICAC) received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip had identified multiple files of suspected child sexual abuse material sent via private chat messages on a social media platform.
Investigators linked the activity to an IP address through an emergency disclosure request. A subsequent court order allowed Henry County investigators to obtain subscriber information from the internet service provider, confirming the account was allegedly registered to Nicholas Sean Trumble at the Ridgeway address.
During the November 20 search, law enforcement officers seized electronic devices, including a Motorola cellular phone belonging to Trumble. A forensic examination of the device, completed on November 26, allegedly revealed images and videos of child sexual abuse material that had been downloaded. These files depicted young children engaged in explicit sexual activity.
Trumble was taken into custody by deputies and investigators with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office on November 27 without incident.
Trumble, 36, of 420 Glen Oak Circle, Ridgeway, was charged with 17 counts of possession of child pornography, 2nd or subsequent offense; and one count of possession of child pornography, 1st offense.
Trumble is currently housed at the Henry County Adult Detention Center with no bond.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the SOVA ICAC Task Force, continues its commitment to combatting crimes against children and urges the public to report suspicious online activity to law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
