One of Fallon’s most serious—and expansive—child exploitation cases has recently been making its way through Churchill County courts. Arrested on March 13, 2025, Eugene Norbert Fonder, who was facing numerous charges related to the exploitation of children and the use of technology to lure a child, accepted a plea agreement that dropped 52 of the 56 counts with a provision that no other charges related to the case would be prosecuted.
While more commonly referred to as child pornography, the term child exploitation is increasingly favored by experts, as pornography typically involves consenting adults or actors. Children cannot legally consent to the creation of explicit materials. Any depiction of a minor in sexually explicit content constitutes exploitation. This article will use the term child exploitation, except when citing legal terminology, court documents, or statements made in court.
The Churchill County District Attorney’s Office initially charged Fonder with 54 counts of Prepare, Advertise, or Distribute Material Depicting Child Sexual Abuse. Under Nevada law, it is a felony to knowingly create, promote, or share material that shows a minor engaging in or simulating sexual acts or the exhibition of private body parts. A child only needs to appear in a sexual image for the charge to meet the legal threshold for exploitation. Each charge constitutes a Category B Felony, punishable by 1–15 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
In addition, Fonder was charged with Lure or Attempt to Lure a Child or Mentally Ill Person Using Technology to Engage in Sexual Conduct. This cyber-luring charge is a Category B Felony if the accused intended for the victim to engage in sexual activity. It carries a penalty of 1–10 years and a fine of up to $10,000. If the luring involved soliciting or receiving explicit images, it can be filed as a Category C Felony, punishable by 1–5 years and a fine up to $10,000.
Fonder, age 55, also faces one count of Possessing Visual Pornography of a Person Under the Age of 16, a first offense. That charge is also a Category B Felony, with a sentence of 1–6 years and a $5,000 fine.
If convicted, Fonder could be classified for 25 years as a Tier II Sex Offender—Nevada’s second most serious classification—and could be subject to lifetime supervision.
In cases involving multiple charges of the same offense, prosecutors often rely on separate dates, images, or victims to support each count. According to the criminal complaint, 54 video files span the summer of 2024 and appear to involve unique content across multiple dates.
Counts 1–14 allege that Fonder, “within Churchill County, knowingly and willingly had in his possession for any purpose any film, photograph, or other visual presentation depicting a person under the age of 16 years as the subject of sexual conduct.”
Counts 15–54 allege that he knowingly prepared, advertised, or distributed visual material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. Specifically, the complaint states he sent videos of minors to another user on the KIK. KIK is a username-based messaging app (not phone number-based) that is frequently cited in child exploitation investigations due to its anonymity, ease of creating fake accounts, and lack of moderation.
Count 55, the cyber-luring charge, alleges that on August 8, 2024, Fonder knowingly attempted to communicate with someone under the age of 16 and at least five years younger than himself with the intent to solicit or persuade the person into sexual conduct. The complaint states that Fonder believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old.
It is critical to understand the uniquely devastating nature of child exploitation crimes. Unlike other offenses, the harm does not end when the abuse stops. Psychological research shows that each time an explicit image is shared or viewed, the victim is forced to relive the original trauma—enduring the emotional and psychological impact again and again
The U.S. Department of Justice states that the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) results in a permanent record of the abuse. Once distributed online, that record can never truly be erased. In most cases, these images or videos are shared countless times with no way to realistically track how many times they are viewed.
Some victims face lifelong trauma says the DOJ. Simply “knowing the documentation…is on the internet, available for others to access forever,” often causes revictimization, even if they are fortunate enough to never personally encounter the images in their lifetime.
Fonder first appeared in New River Township Justice Court before Judge Benjamin Trotter on March 13. At that time, Trotter determined that Fonder qualified for court-appointed counsel and assigned Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer to the case.
At a March 19 hearing, Fonder waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days. The matter was continued until June, at which point the court vacated proceedings following a negotiated plea agreement.
Court documents show that at that time, Fonder pleaded to four category B Felonies: three counts of Distribution of Pornographic Material Involving a Minor and one count of Possession of Pornographic Material Involving a Minor. All four are Category B Felonies.
While Fonder is now facing four felony charges instead of the original 56, the penalties remain substantial. Each of the three distribution counts is punishable by 1–15 years in prison, with the possession charge carrying 1–6 years.
In plea negotiations, prosecutors often reduce the number of charges in exchange for a guilty plea. This can spare victims from testifying, streamline court proceedings, and still result in a substantial sentence—especially when the remaining charges carry significant prison time, as they do in this case.
Because the three distribution charges are of the same class and type, the court has the discretion to order the sentences to be served consecutively. If imposed this way, Fonder could face up to 51 years in prison and $50,000 in fines. He would also be required to register as a Tier II sex offender for 25 years, with his identity publicly accessible online. Additionally, he may be subject to asset forfeiture of any money or property tied to the distribution of the material.
Fonder will be probation-eligible if a psychological risk assessment determines he is not at high risk of reoffending. The agreement also states, “All remaining charges or potential charges in this case or arising from this matter will be dismissed or not pursued.”
The case has now been bound over to the Tenth Judicial District Court in Fallon as Justice Courts in Nevada cannot sentence felony matters or impose prison terms.
Fonder is scheduled for District Court arraignment on June 17.
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