Maurice Robert Thill, Traveling for Illicit Acts, North Dakota 2022
Maurice Robert Thill Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison
BISMARCK, North Dakota - Maurice Robert Thill, 60, of Mandan, North Dakota, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for crimes related to international travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual acts with a minor.
On April 12, 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor handed down the sentence after Thill pleaded guilty to the charges on August 12, 2021.
The charges against Thill included Count 1 – Failure of Registered Sex Offender to Report International Travel (18 USC 2250(b)); Count 2 – Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration (18 USC 2250(a)); Count 3 - Possession of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Children (18 USC 2252(a)(4)(B) and 2252(b)(2)); Count 6 - Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor (18 USC 2423(b) and 2423(f)(1)); and Count 7 - Commission of a Felony Offense Involving a Minor by a Registered Sex Offender (18 USC 2260A).
Thill was a registered sex offender based on his convictions under North Dakota law for Gross Sexual Imposition in 1990, 1991, and 2004. He was also civilly committed as a Sexually Dangerous Individual between 2011 – 2017.
The matter came to the attention of law enforcement officials when Thill boarded a flight destined to Madagascar, Africa, without having previously notified sex offender registration authorities of his intention to engage in international travel as required by Federal law. Upon his return to the United States in January 2020, Thill was arrested on a related North Dakota State warrant for failing to update his sex offender registration. He was also found to have multiple images involving the sexual exploitation of minors on his cell phone, including numerous images of Thill engaging in sexual acts with a minor in Madagascar.
Thill was also sentenced to a Lifetime term of supervised release, $500 in special assessments, and $3,000 in restitution.
Interim United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase commended the dedicated agents and officers involved in the case, stating, "This investigation is a great example of coordinated efforts by Federal, State and Local law enforcement officials and their determined efforts to protect the public from sexual predators."
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations; United States Marshal’s Service; North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation; Mandan Police Department; and the Diplomatic Security Service (State Department), and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office, with Assistant United States Attorney Rick Volk assigned to the case.
Thill is currently serving his 40-year sentence at a federal correctional facility, bringing an end to his ability to victimize children.
Key Facts
- State: North Dakota
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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