A former East Carolina University associate professor is headed to federal prison after a child sexual abuse material case that rattled Greenville’s academic community.
On Friday, 59-year-old Blace Arthur Nalavany was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material. He was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release. Authorities said the material was found at his home in Winterville.
Federal Sentence And Prosecutors’ Account
The sentence came down following a U.S. Department of Justice press release stating that Nalavany pleaded guilty on March 11 and that the possession offense took place at his Winterville residence. FBI Charlotte shared the department’s announcement on social media. The Justice Department also emphasized that the crime was not connected to his employment with East Carolina University.
How Investigators Built The Case
Investigators from the FBI’s Charlotte field office worked with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to execute a search warrant at Nalavany’s home in January 2025, according to local reporting. WITN and other outlets reported at the time that Nalavany was arrested and that East Carolina University placed him on administrative suspension. Federal prosecutors later brought the case to court, where Nalavany entered his guilty plea.
Project Safe Childhood And Enforcement Context
Prosecutors said the case was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative that coordinates federal, state and local efforts to combat child sexual exploitation online. The Justice Department notes the program has been in place since 2006. Trial attorney Gwendelynn Bills and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen K. Haughton prosecuted the case, according to the announcement.
What Comes Next For Nalavany And The Community
Beyond the 42-month prison term and five years of supervised release, Nalavany will have to comply with any additional court-ordered conditions after he leaves prison. The Justice Department’s announcement listed U.S. Attorney W. Ellis Boyle and Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva among the officials who publicized the outcome, and credited the FBI and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation with handling the investigation. FBI Charlotte summarized the sentence and outlined the next steps in the case.
ECU Response And Nalavany’s Background
After Nalavany’s arrest in January 2025, East Carolina University announced that he had been placed on administrative suspension and that the school would cooperate with investigators. WBTV reported that Nalavany had served in ECU’s School of Social Work since 2006 and was a licensed clinical social worker. Prosecutors say the new sentence formally closes a federal investigation into the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
