DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO 300 MONTHS FOR CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING

Spokane, Washington - First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on May 6, 2026, United States District Court Judge Thomas Rice sentenced William Scott Morse, to a total of 25 years of imprisonment to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release after pleading guilty to various sex trafficking offenses stemming from his knowing solicitation of minor victims for sex.

According to court documents and information revealed during the sentencing hearing, in late September 2024, Minor Victim 1 posted a babysitting ad on Craigslist. Minor Victim 1 identified herself as 15 years old and indicated that she and her friend were CPR certified and were looking to babysit in the evenings or weekends. Morse responded asking if the victim would like to make quick money-but not for babysitting. Morse corresponded with the child extensively describing sex acts he was looking to pay for. He ultimately offered her $320 for sex and went to her home where he engaged in sexual contact with the minor.

Search warrants for Morse's email accounts showed he was also conversing with Minor Victim 2, who was 16 years old and had also posted a babysitting ad on Craigslist. He promised her quick cash for sex. Minor Victim 2 did not take Morse up on the offer.

In this case, Morse entered a global plea agreement, which required him to enter a plea of guilty to both the federal offenses detailed herein as well as to plead guilty in the Spokane County Superior Court to Rape of a Child in the Third Degree, in violation of RCW 9A.44.079(1). Morse will enter his guilty plea in Spokane County now that the federal sentence has been imposed.

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."

"Mr. Morse is a threat to the community who persistently targeted innocent and vulnerable teens looking for babysitting jobs online," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "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 case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Perez of the Eastern District of Washington and Scott Donahue for the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington.