Testimony of women provides glance at accused
BY KATE DANNA
Tuesday, May 03, 2026



ALBION Ñ The emotional testimony of two women during a hearing in Orleans County Court on Monday provided background on a Lyndonville man currently facing rape charges.

The women testified to having been raped by Ronald J. Nichols, who denies current sex abuse charges against him for similar allegations from four other women.

Nichols, 26, Maple Avenue, Lyndonville, pleaded not guilty in January to 31 counts of sex charges including second-degree rape, second-degree criminal sexual acts, second-degree sodomy, third-degree sexual abuse, and additional charges of second-degree criminal sale of marijuana, fifth-degree criminal solicitation and endangering the welfare of a child.

At the time of NicholsÕ arraignment, prosecutors said Nichols allegedly talked four females between the ages of 13 and 15 into engaging in three sexual acts with him, in order to gain his trust. He enticed the females with money from drug sales.

These sexual encounters occurred between fall 2003 and last summer, District Attorney Joseph Cardone said. Nichols was arrested Nov. 1.

The first testimony in court Monday came from a woman who said she and Nichols were friends in high school.

She said that in August 1998, Nichols forced her into having sex in his home. The 25-year-old woman, who said she was 18 or 19 at the time, said Nichols told her that if she sold drugs for him, he could give her a radio and some speakers.

She cried on the stand, and said Nichols held her down while she told him no and tried to push him away.
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