A 20-year-old Ravenden Springs man, originally arrested earlier this year for theft, is now facing additional charges related to the possession of child exploitation material, according to law enforcement records.
Dawson Nicholson was identified as a suspect in a theft investigation following the February 22, 2026, removal of hard drives from the Walmart in Pocahontas. During a post-Miranda interview with Sgt. Trason Johnson of the Pocahontas Police Department, Nicholson allegedly admitted to possessing explicit images of young children. Police say he showed images from his phone during the interview.
Following this disclosure, authorities obtained a search warrant for Nicholson's residence, where all internet-capable devices and storage media were confiscated. According to investigators, Nicholson admitted during questioning that he viewed nude images of young boys for sexual gratification.
At the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Nicholson reportedly signed consent forms granting investigators access to his electronic devices. Authorities say a subsequent search of his phone and iPad uncovered images of young boys, some appearing to be under the age of five, engaged in inappropriate conduct. Photographs of boys in underwear were also reportedly found on the devices.
As a result, Nicholson was charged with multiple felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, with charges including a Class C felony and a Class B felony. These charges were filed on October 19, 2026.
The original February arrest included charges of commercial burglary and unlawful removal of a theft detection device, alongside possession of child sexual abuse material. Court records indicate a $50,000 cash bond was set for the initial charges. Nicholson remains in custody at the Randolph County Detention Center, awaiting a bond hearing and arraignment on his latest charges.