WI DOJ Agents Partner With Chippewa Falls Police Department in Internet Crimes Against Children Operation - Nicholas D. La Belle of Chippewa Falls Arrested

CHIPPEWA FALLS – On August 3rd, 2010, Special Agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation and the Chippewa Falls Police Department conducted an investigation regarding child pornography at 459 Chippewa Street in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. A DCI special agent, working in an undercover capacity, identified a computer located at the above listed address that contained images of child pornography. A DCI agent obtained a search warrant for the above address.

According to the criminal complaint, an on-scene preview of a computer hard drive located at the above address was discovered to contain images and videos of child pornography. The property owner was not responsible for accessing the child pornography, but rather her adult grandson, identified as Nicholas D. La Belle, admitted to using a software program on the computer with which he would use to search for terms that lead to images and videos of child pornography . The subject also admitted to having downloaded and viewed the images of child pornography on the computer.

Nicholas D. La Belle was arrested by law enforcement and was transported to the Chippewa County Jail. He has been charged with Six Counts of Possession of Child Pornography. Assistant District Attorney Wade Newell of the Chippewa County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to the Chippewa County District Attorney's Office.

A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove its allegations at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.

A copy of the criminal complaint is available at: