Lawrence man convicted for possession of child sexual abuse material

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Michael W. Wicks, 53, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a child for possessing nude images of children.

“In collaboration with our local law enforcement partners, we continue to enhance our prosecution of possession of child sexual abuse material,” District Attorney Valdez said. “We must hold offenders accountable in order to protect children and to deter this criminal conduct.”

Charges stemmed from a cyber tip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in May 2022 when the Lawrence Police Department was advised that Wicks electronically received child sexual abuse material.

Deputy District Attorney Joshua Seiden represented the State of Kansas. The matter was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Wicks’ sentencing was set by Judge Sally Pokorny for 9 a.m., on May 17, 2024, at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Wicks, who must register as a sex offender for life, faces between 31 and 136 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for each count. He also must serve lifetime post-release supervision.