Michael John Worley, Child Exploitation, South Carolina 2021

Canton Man Sentenced to 31+ Years for Child Sex Crimes

In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Michael John Worley, 51, of Canton, North Carolina, was sentenced to 382 months in prison for traveling to Fort Mill, South Carolina, to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor while being a registered sex offender.

Worley, who was already serving a lifetime term of supervised release and registration as a sex offender after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography in 2017, showed no remorse for his crimes. In March 2021, he began communicating online with undercover sheriff deputies posing as a 15-year-old minor female, expressing his interest in engaging in illicit sexual acts with the underage female.

Despite knowing that he was not supposed to be talking to a minor, Worley referenced his prior federal conviction and claimed that he did not want to get in trouble again. However, his words were empty and he traveled from Haywood County in North Carolina to Fort Mill, South Carolina, on March 27, 2021, to engage in sexual acts with the minor.

Worley was arrested by the York County Sheriff’s Office when he arrived at the residence where he thought he was meeting the minor. His arrest brought an end to his heinous crimes, but the harm he caused to the child and their family will be lasting.

U.S. Attorney Dena J. King praised the swift action of Homeland Security Investigations and the York County Sheriff’s Office, saying, “We are committed to actively investigating and prosecuting repeat predators like Worley to combat child exploitation and ensure the safety of our vulnerable young people.”

Worley will remain under court supervision for the rest of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence. His case is a stark reminder of the dangers of online predators and the importance of protecting our children from exploitation.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Solheim prosecuted the case, which highlights the commitment of law enforcement agencies to keeping our children safe.

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