North Port man convicted of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
12 judicial Circuit
State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that on Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, Steven Russell Nichols was convicted after jury trial of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child; Lewd or Lascivious Conduct; and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child. The crimes were committed between June 2022 and February 2023 and investigated by the North Port Police Department with Kisha Veigel as the lead detective. The trial was held over two days at the Sarasota County Courthouse beginning on June 16th.
The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of 31 years in the Department of Corrections and Steven Russell Nichols will be required to register as a sexual offender.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 2nd, 2025, before the Honorable Judge Dana Moss, who presided over the trial. Steven Russell Nichols was remanded into the custody of the Sarasota County Jail pending sentencing.
Mr. Nichols used his position of authority to inappropriately touch a 13-year-old child.
The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Jeff Feher commented, “For over eight months this child had to endure abuse from someone who she loved and trusted. Thanks to the efforts of the North Port Police Department and the Child Protection Center, the child and her mother will now get to move on with their lives.”
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Jeff Feher in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.
