Olympia Predator Laursen Gets 15 Years for Exploiting Teen

TACOMA, WA – Michael T. Laursen, a 47-year-old Olympia man, will spend the next 15 years in federal prison for the horrific exploitation of a 16-year-old girl. Laursen was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma after being convicted in May 2014 of producing and possessing child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan, reflects the gravity of Laursen’s crimes and the lasting damage he inflicted on his victim.

The two-day bench trial revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse. Laursen didn’t just prey on a vulnerable teenager; he actively groomed her, supplying her with drugs and using them as leverage to photograph her engaged in sexually explicit acts. According to court records, Laursen first met the victim when she was just 12 years old, establishing a predatory relationship that escalated over time. He then actively blocked attempts by her family and law enforcement to intervene and get the girl help.

The timeline of abuse is chilling. Starting in 2012, after the victim turned 16, Laursen initiated a sexual relationship, feeding her drug habit and encouraging her to skip school. He then photographed her, including images documenting his sexual conduct with her. Laursen further isolated the girl by encouraging her to run away from home, providing her with temporary shelter in motel rooms, apartments, and the homes of others – all while continuing to exploit her and document the abuse with his camera.

“This defendant betrayed the trust of a vulnerable young woman, claiming he would help and protect her when it really was just a ploy to exploit her,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Hayes. “He persisted in blocking the efforts of her family to get her into drug treatment and law enforcement officers investigating the crime. This 15 year prison sentence with ten years of federal supervision to follow will protect other vulnerable members of the community.” Judge Bryan also imposed 10 years of supervised release following Laursen’s imprisonment, a measure intended to monitor his behavior and prevent future offenses.

The investigation, a collaborative effort by the Washington State Patrol-Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-South Sound Investigative Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to tackling child exploitation. “This joint federal, state and local agency investigation illustrates the lengths to which law enforcement will go to bring a child predator to justice,” said Brad Bench, special agent in charge of HSI Seattle. “Now, with this federal sentence, the public can rest assured Laursen will spend more than a decade behind bars with close federal monitoring to follow.”

Assistant United States Attorneys Ye-Ting Woo and Seth Wilkinson prosecuted the case, ensuring that Laursen faced justice for his heinous crimes. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by vulnerable youth and the importance of vigilant investigation and prosecution of those who prey on them. Laursen’s 15-year sentence sends a clear message: the exploitation of children will not be tolerated.