SC Man Sexually Assaulted Cape May Child: Prosecutor

CAPE MAY, NJ — A South Carolina man is accused of sexually assaulting a Cape May child, according to the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office.

William H. Nichols 32, of Florence County, South Carolina, is charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Cape May City Police Chief Dekon Fashaw said.

On Feb. 24, 2026, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, in collaboration with the Cape May City Police Department, initiated an investigation after receiving a report of the alleged sexual assault of a minor.

Nichols was identified as the suspect and a warrant was issued Feb. 27, officials said.

He was taken into custody March 1 in Florence County and is awaiting extradition to New Jersey.

Under New Jersey law, a conviction for a first-degree crime typically carries a sentencing range of 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. However, this case is subject to the provisions of the Jessica Lunsford Act. Under the Lunsford Act, the defendant faces a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life for sexually assaulting a child under age 13 and must serve a minimum of 25 years without the possibility of parole.

“This case highlights the ongoing dedication of our law enforcement agencies in protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. We take all allegations of child abuse with the utmost seriousness, and we will continue to ensure that those responsible for such heinous acts are held fully accountable under the law,” Sutherland said.

Sutherland urges anyone with additional information regarding this case to contactthe Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 609-465-1135, submit an anonymous tip through the Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips, or use the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net by clicking on “anonymous tip.”