Court documents: Newton County man used church youth ministry position to entice underage girl into sex, pornography exchange

A Newton County man will remain behind bars as he awaits trial on federal charges of sexual exploitation of a child and receiving and distributing child pornography.

During a sentencing hearing this morning in U. S. District Court in Springfield, Judge David P. Rush ordered Nicholas Lane Stephens, 23, referring to the weight of the evidence against him as "overwhelming."

Rush offered the following rationale for his decision:

The evidence at the detention hearing established that the defendant was serving at his church in a position of trust when he began inappropriate relationships with two minor females involved in the church’s youth ministry. 

One of the victims eventually sent nude images of herself to the defendant via Snapchat. According to the victim, the defendant sent several images of his erect penis and videos of himself masturbating. The
victim also engaged in sexual activity with the defendant.

Based on all the foregoing, the Court finds by finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is a danger to the community. 

The court documents do not indicate which Newton County church Stephens was involved with, Stephens was indicted by a grand jury so there is no probable cause affidavit. Normally, details would be included in the detention motion and likely were, but Judge Rush, at the request of the U. S. Attorney's office, sealed the document.

The indictment indicate Stephens' alleged crimes occurred between December 1 and January 14.