FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb 1, 2020) – Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced today that the Cyber Crimes Unit within the Office of the Attorney General arrested Nigel Nicholas, 53, of Louisville. The arrest occurred yesterday in Jefferson County with the assistance of the Louisville Metro Police Department. Nicholas, who was out on bail for human trafficking charges, was arrested for one count of tampering with a witness, a Class D felony.
“Our Cyber Crimes Unit is committed to partnering with local, state, and federal law enforcement to apprehend criminals who attempt to intimidate and coerce witnesses,” said Attorney General Cameron. “I am grateful to our hardworking investigators and law enforcement for their diligent work on this case.”
In February of 2018, Nicholas was arrested and charged with two counts of human trafficking and one count of promoting two or more prostitutes. Nicholas was allegedly working with Abbey Varney and profiting from the sale of illegal sex with underage teens on Backpage.com.
After being released from incarceration on a $10,000 bond for human trafficking charges, Nicholas was re-arrested for bringing an out of state, third party to Kentucky to pressure a human trafficking victim to recant their statement. Nicholas and the third party used deception and fraud to coerce the victim, offering both finances and property in exchange for a retraction of allegations. Nicholas was taken into custody at his residence in Louisville on Friday, Jan 31.
Due to the new charge, an additional $20,000 has been added to the original $10,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected. This case is being prosecuted by Chris Foster, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in the 30th Judicial Circuit, which covers Jefferson County.