An Oakhurst man has been hit with federal charges for alleged stalking and distributing child sexual exploitation material, U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith's office has disclosed. The three-count indictment against 21-year-old Preston Nelson-Kestner includes accusations of him utilizing platforms such as OnlyFans, Instagram, and TikTok to harass and threaten a Fresno woman, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
From October 2023 through mid-February 2024, Nelson-Kestner is said to have sent the unnamed victim threatening messages over social media, as well as videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment suggests that his actions were designed with disturbing potential, causing "substantial emotional distress," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. In a continuous stream connecting the victim with her tormentor, these platforms inadvertently served as conduits.
A collaboration of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fresno Police Department, Madera County Sheriff’s Office, and the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has culminated in these charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa is named as the prosecutor in this multi-agency investigation, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Preston Nelson-Kestner stands to face substantial time behind bars if proven guilty; up to five years for stalking, a minimum of five to 20 years for distribution, and a maximum of 10 years for possession of child sexual exploitation materials. Ranging across a multitude of outcomes, any sentence would pivot on the court's interpretation of statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It's worth noting that, as is the due process, "the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," the U.S. Attorney's Office press release states. Faces and stories behind the alleged crimes remain obscured by the veil of presumed innocence until the court lifts it through a verdict.
