Nicholas Reed Colquitt

WARSAW — Leesburg teen Nicholas Reed Colquitt, 19, was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I today, Oct. 3, with Judge David Cates presiding.

Colquitt was preliminarily facing four counts of child molestation, one count of sexual misconduct with a minor and 10 counts of possession of child pornography. In July he pled guilty to one count sexual misconduct with a minor, a level 5 felony; two counts of child molesting, level 4 felonies; and one count possession of child pornography, a level 5 felony.

The charges stem from incidents that occurred last year. On Oct. 5, 2016, Colquitt was first arrested after having sexual relations with a minor at Colquitt’s residence. Then on Oct. 12, 2016, Colquitt received additional charges after police learned he had intercourse with a minor under the age of 14. On Dec. 22, 2016, Colquitt was then charged with possession of child pornography after officers found Dropbox accounts on his phone containing hundreds of videos and pictures of underage children participating in sexual conduct.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katy Hampton told the court the Colquitt’s case started only as a sexual misconduct case before subsequent investigation revealed another victim and a cache of hundreds of images of minors in sexual situations.

“Mr. Colquitt clearly had deviant sexual desires, that was focusing on young people, children, obviously indicative by his possession of the most repugnant and perverse pornography that I have seen in my 18 years as prosecutor,” said Hampton.

Hampton read a victim’s statement from the 14-year-old victim. The victim described how her life has been turned upside down by Colquitt’s actions, resulting in the minor having PTSD.

Hampton asked the court to consider aggravating circumstance in that one of the victim’s was only 11 years of age.

Colquitt’s attorney Scott Lennox described Colquitt to the court as a young man, only 18 at the time of the crime, who made a mistake. Lennox advised that Colquitt understands he needs help for his perversions. Lennox asked the court not to send Colquitt to the Indiana Department of Corrections, as he has already been assaulted during his 288 days at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

Colquitt reiterated Lennox’s points, adding that he wants to be someone his family and the community can be proud of. “I can’t go back and change what happened on those days, but I can change who I am as person…I’m committed to getting the help I need. I just want to be a normal person.”

Colquitt stated that he was scared of going to the IDOC because he felt he wouldn’t come out of the penal system a good person.

Cates took little pity on Colquitt. “It’s obvious to me that you still have tremendous opportunity…I wish you hadn’t made those choices…but you made them,” said Cates. “One of the victims was 11-years-old, and I absolutely find that an aggravating factor.”

Cates stated he would not consider putting Colquitt into a rehabilitation program that was not secure, stating the IDOC was his only option.

In regards to counts 1 and 4 child molesting, level 4 felonies, Colquitt was sentenced to 6 years at the IDOC for each count, served concurrently. In regards to count 1 sexual misconduct with a minor, a level 5 felony, Colquitt was sentenced to 3 years at the IDOC, and for count 1 possession of child pornography, a level 5 felony, a 3 year sentence at the IDOC. All cases will be served consecutively to each other.

Colquitt will receive a total of 288 days jail time credit. The final 4 years of his sentence will be suspended and served on probation.

Colquitt is required to register as a sex offender and to undergo sex offender counseling. He is to have no contact with the victims and no contact with any child under the age of 18 without the child’s parent physically present. Restitution in the amount of $1,951.65 was ordered to four parties.