Pekin inmate receives another 4 year sentence for possession of contraband

PEORIA, Ill. – An inmate at the federal prison in Pekin is going to be behind bars even longer.

42-year-old Joseph Nichols, who was already serving time for child pornography, has been sentenced to an extra four years in federal prison.

At sentencing, the government said when Nichols was transferred to the Pekin facility last year, staff found a razor blade and images of child sexual abuse material hidden inside a hearing aid case that had his name on it. Both items are strictly prohibited.

A judge in Peoria handed down the sentence this week. That extra time will be served after he finishes his current sentence.