Hickory Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography

A former Hickory firefighter pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in Federal Court on Wednesday.

Nate Eli Kurzak pleaded guilty to possession and access with intent to view child pornography involving prepubescent minors. A sentencing hearing will set at a later date.

Hickory Police arrested Kurzak and charged him with ten-counts of second-degree exploitation and 10 counts third-degree sexual exploitation in October 2023. In May 2024, Kurzak was indicted on federal charges of distribution of child pornography and possession and access with intent to view child pornography involving prepubescent minors.

At the time of his arrest, Kurzak was employed by the city of Hickory as a firefighter.

A magistrate’s order from Catawba County said Kurzak had images of “an unknown female minor approximately 6 years old” involved in sexual activity with other minors.

The order lists the date of the offense as June 7, 2021. Kurzak was 18 at that time.