Former Sarah Bush Lincoln Employee Arrested on Child Pornography Charge
MATTOON, Ill. – A former employee of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon has been arrested and released on pretrial conditions following a charge of possession of child pornography.
Nicholas A. Polston, 30, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography involving a moving depiction - a Class 2 felony – allegedly occurring on November 30, 2024, according to court records.
Polston was granted release from custody on November 14, 2025, subject to electronic monitoring and home confinement. Court documents stipulate he is to have no contact with individuals under the age of 18, except as “necessary within the scope of his employment.” He has been authorized limited movement for employment, medical care, court appearances, and two hours of personal time twice weekly, coordinated through the Emergency Medicine (EM) unit at Sarah Bush Lincoln.
As a condition of his release, polston’s internet service at his residence has been suspended, and he is prohibited from accessing the internet via phone, laptop, or other cellular device, except for employment duties. He was authorized to obtain a landline to facilitate communication with pretrial services.
Sarah Bush Lincoln spokesperson Debbie Saddoris confirmed Polston’s employment with the organization, stating, “We are aware of the charges regarding this individual.He is not providing care or working in any SBL facility.”
A motion hearing for discovery was held Thursday at 2 p.m., and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 15 at 1 p.m. the Coles County State’s Attorney’s Office has stated it will not release documentation related to the case before the preliminary hearing.
