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.
2:25-CR-54-TOR
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