William Scott Morse was sentenced on May 6 to 25 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to sex trafficking offenses involving minors. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Thomas Rice, according to First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano.
The case underscores the risks faced by minors using online platforms and highlights the importance of coordinated efforts between federal and local agencies in protecting vulnerable community members. According to court documents, Morse contacted two underage victims who had posted babysitting advertisements on Craigslist. He solicited both for sex, offering money and engaging in explicit communications. In one instance, he visited the home of a 15-year-old girl and engaged in sexual contact with her after offering $320.
A search of Morse’s email accounts revealed that he also attempted to solicit another minor who did not accept his offer. As part of a global plea agreement, Morse pleaded guilty not only to federal charges but will also plead guilty in Spokane County Superior Court for Rape of a Child in the Third Degree.
First Assistant Serrano said, “The impact of an offense like this extends beyond the child victims themselves to the entire community. It is tragic that our local teenagers cannot even seek babysitting positions without being propositioned by offenders.”
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Preston McCollam said, “Strong partnerships between local and federal agencies are of critical importance in protecting the young and vulnerable members of our community.” W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office said, “Mr. Morse is a threat to the community who persistently targeted innocent and vulnerable teens looking for babysitting jobs online. He knew how young these victims were but continued to prey on them anyway. It is our hope that this long prison sentence will keep other young people safe from his crimes.”
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington prosecutes federal crimes such as this case and works with various law enforcement agencies through its Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee; it covers twenty counties east of the Cascade Mountains according to its official website.
