The Abington Township Police Department announced today the arrest of Shane Nicholson, 34, of Shelbyville, Tennessee, for unlawful contact with a minor.

According to the department’s press release, the parents of a minor who resides in Abington Township contacted officers on September 24, 2025. The parents said they discovered sexually explicit text messages and images sent to their child by an adult male, later identified as Nicholson.

“With authorization from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, an Abington Special Victims detective assumed control of the victim’s online account and continued communicating with Nicholson while posing as the minor,” the press release said.

Police said Nicholson initiated exchanges in which “he engaged in sexually explicit conversations, described sexual acts, requested photographs, and attempted to arrange an in-person meeting.”

Nicholson also indicated he would travel to the Philadelphia area to pick up the child and transport him back to Tennessee, police said.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Nicholson on December 30, 2025. The warrant information was provided to the Shelbyville Police Department, who took Nicholson into custody, after which he was extradited to Montgomery County.

He was arraigned by Judge Thomas Murt, who set bail at $150,000. Nicholson is currently being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings, the press release said.

“This case serves as a reminder for parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activity and report any suspicious or inappropriate communications to law enforcement immediately,” the press release said. “For trusted information and resources, visit the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program website at https://www.icactaskforce.org/internetsafety.”

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Photo: ATPD