(Kenosha Sheriff)
Kenosha, Wis. — A 45-year-old Kenosha man has been charged with a series of sex crimes, including the repeated sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. Matthew H. Nielson was formally charged today and could face up to 335 years in prison if convicted.
Nielson appeared in court today, where he was ordered to be held on a $200,000 cash bail. The charges against him include repeated sexual assault of a child, child enticement, and ten counts of possession of child pornography.
Details of the Investigation
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began when the FBI received an anonymous tip in June 2024. The tipster reported that years ago, they had discovered explicit images of a young girl, later identified as “Emily”, on Nielson’s computer. The victim, now an adult, came forward and confirmed the abuse she suffered as a child.
The FBI and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office launched a joint investigation, which included reviewing past reports and conducting interviews with witnesses. Authorities identified additional potential victims and gathered evidence from Nielson’s past residences.
Arrest and Search Warrants
On February 17, 2025, Nielson was arrested in La Crosse, WI, after authorities tracked his movements through GPS and cell phone location data. He was found sleeping in his vehicle outside a train yard. A search of his vehicles yielded multiple electronic devices, including hard drives, SD cards, flash drives, and a laptop.
A subsequent search of Nielson’s residence in Kenosha uncovered a trove of disturbing materials, including extensive child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Investigators found thousands of files, including images and videos of children in explicit situations. Some files appeared to be secretly recorded at public locations such as water parks and beaches.
Community Concerns and Law Enforcement Response
The criminal complaint describes years of concerning behavior by Nielson, including interactions with neighborhood children and a history of inappropriate conduct. Witnesses recalled incidents where Nielson spent excessive time with young children, took inappropriate photos, and engaged in other suspicious activities.
Authorities have urged any additional victims or witnesses to come forward as they continue to examine the vast amount of digital evidence recovered.
Next Steps in the Case
Nielson remains in custody at the Kenosha County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for later this month, where prosecutors will present further evidence. If convicted on all charges, he faces a potential maximum sentence of 335 years in prison.
43 Responses
Why the hell didn’t the person speak up years prior?
Who dislikes that?! Pedos
I stubbed my toe on a table at home 30 years ago. I’m suing the manufacturer now.
lol that makes no sense in relation to the story. Someone sees child porn (of a known person) on another’s computer but neglects to turn them in for decades? Perhaps they dabble in that atrocity as well…
Let’s see what you do when a mf like this touches one of your kids, and your kid due to trauma or fear brings it to your attention years after. I bet you’ll punish the victim instead of reporting it.
Keep stabbing yourself, just don’t think much because it can hurt you
Clearly you don’t read any other comments and just spout off 🤦🏼♀️
Dont you dare judge. Being a victim myself, you a filled with shame and disgust of yourself. If the victim does not get help
There is very very low self esteem and confidence in one self. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. There is much more than that to deal with.
The person (not the victim) aka “tipster” that saw the photos years prior needed to speak up sooner.
“The tipster reported that years ago, they had discovered explicit images of a young girl, later identified as “Emily”, on Nielson’s computer.”
Also, this guy’s involvement with shady character’s that will go to lengths to silence the victims. This is a massive network of pedos and sick manipulative monsters !
Hanging is appropriate
Hanging is to nice.
Electric chair with the power leads on his unit. Turn power on , off , increase, decrease, … you get it
I’m related to this weirdo. He was always a creepy dude hanging around the kids with his camera. It’s always been a joke in the family that he is a pedo. His dad was a convicted pedo too. Apple didn’t fall far. Anyone that knew this guy would say he Definetly always gave off those creep vibes. Lots of family members have experiences with him being odd and creepy
Im glad he is off the streets!!
That’s terrible, hopefully they don’t have any other victims!
I guarantee there is other victims. He was molesting young family members for many years. His Nielson family are Pedophile sympathizers that are okay with this behavior. They are a family full of nasty pedophiles and if they aren’t pedophiles themselves, they don’t mind associating with them. They have always accepted the convicted pedophiles back into the family and brought them around there kids. The nielson family are all nasty. All of them. Every single one of them knew this was happening in the family
Then I sincerely hope that this entire family is investigated…it’s evident this abuse is generational and needs to be stopped.
I completely agree with you he actually used to babysit my friend and her sister
I’m his neighbor and always thought he was a bit on the odd side. Was really hoping he was just socially awkward but it all makes sense now. Sad.
Facing 335 years? I’m not a vengeful person, I’d settle for him getting half that.
He can be thrown infront them trains all we care
To the thumbs down people, do the math, half of 335 years will still put him away for the rest of his life. Even if they tried to let him out in half of that half sentence, he’d never see the light of freedom again.
They have a couple nice wood chippers on sale at Tractor Supply. Just saying….
Where’s there a TSC around here?
Beach Park, IL on Greenbay rd
Burlington
Let this be a lesson to all of us. If it’s a consensus among multiple adults that there’s a pedo in the family, then there’s most likely a pedo in the family
so call the cops. You will be a hero to the children. Stop looking the other way.
Amen!
Don’t judge the girl for not coming out sooner! Unless you experienced this shut up! He’s busted PERIOD! Let him die in prison the piece of shit!
The post is in reference to the person that saw the photos years prior, NOT the victim.
I was abused by my grandfather and my uncle when I was a little kid. I told my parents, but they did nothing. If parents don’t believe their children, it is hard for the victim to step forward. Sixty-two years later, I am still haunted by what these men did to me.
😔 So sorry this happened to you
Thank you!
So very sorry this happened to you. There are so many victims out there because we live in a fallen world.
thank you!
We need the death penalty for sex crimes against children. This has got to stop.
Gravity and a rope, why put them in prison for the tax payer to support.
Nothing a rope and a sturdy tree branch can’t fix
Truthfully, this moron, if and when convicted, will likely get a stiff prison sentence but 335 years is 99.99999999999% unlikely.
With these charges, Bro should have no problem getting a job at KUSD although he may not have enough melanin.
Blood eagle this guy…
Hello, i used to work at a roller rink in Burlington Wisconsin me and my friends used to go all the time and he went to. He used to harass people there such as me and my brother he would grab out ears and hold our shoulders/arms im not sure if this was normal for him but im glad hes gone.
100% how he was. He was always a nasty pig
They should just save the money and throw him in general population with Live feed So that the victim’s families can watch him get what he deserves