Former Laguna resident gets 9 years for possession of child porn

A registered sex offender accused of molesting a 5-year-old boy in a public restroom in October was sentenced Monday to nine years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

Nicholas James Needham, formerly of Laguna Beach, also pleaded guilty in federal court in October to one felony count of lewd acts on a child younger than 14.

He is expected to receive six years in prison when he is sentenced next month for that felony count.

The incident occurred on June 15, 2010, at a men’s restroom at the Block at Orange, now called the Outlets at Orange.

According to police, a 5-year-old boy was using the urinal while his mother waited outside.

Needham is accused of standing next to the boy, reaching over and touching the boy’s penis.

The boy reported the assault to his mother, who contacted the Orange Police Department.

During a search of Needham’s home, officers discovered thousands of photographs and three videos of child pornography.

Needham is accused of possessing graphic and explicit child pornography on his iPod predominantly featuring young boys from infancy to early teens.

Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Detective Leslie Franco at (714) 744-7572 or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347-8794.