Elam Pleads Guilty

A 53-year-old Middletown man, William Scott Elam, has pleaded guilty to 11 counts of federal child exploitation crimes in U.S. District Court. The plea agreement includes a recommended sentence of 26 years in prison.

Elam connected with girls between the ages of 10 and 16 on various online chatting apps, pretending to be a 14-year-old male. He coerced or attempted to coerce the minor victims into creating nude images and videos that involved sexual conduct.

For approximately four years, Elam began online relationships with numerous minor females in at least seven states. Law enforcement officers have identified at least 10 victims to date. He admitted to coercing victims into masturbating on live video calls with him.

Elam manipulated at least one victim into complying by threatening to harm himself if she did not do as he asked. He instructed another victim to self-harm via cutting on live video after learning the victim had a history of self-harm. Elam coerced victims into sending him live sexual material by threatening to leak naked images he obtained of them.

The defendant was arrested in October 2023. He pleaded guilty to 10 counts of coercion and enticement and one count of sexual exploitation of children. Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the guilty plea entered on July 14 before U.S. District Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins.

Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case. The guilty plea is a significant step towards justice for the victims and their families. The recommended sentence of 26 years in prison reflects the severity of Elam’s crimes and the need to protect minor victims from online exploitation.

The case highlights the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat online child exploitation. The FBI and other agencies work tirelessly to identify and prosecute individuals who prey on vulnerable minors. The public is urged to report any suspicious online activity to the authorities to help prevent such crimes.

RELATED: 19-Year-Old Pleads Guilty To Beaumont Carjacking, Gun Charges