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Predator Back Behind Bars: Stilson Gets 15 Years
SEATTLE – James William Stilson, 40, of Everett, Washington, is headed back to prison after receiving a 15-year sentence and lifetime supervised release for possessing and distributing images of child rape. The sentence, handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez, reflects the gravity of Stilson’s continued offenses while already under federal supervision.
This isn’t Stilson’s first rodeo. Court records reveal a long history of depravity, beginning with a 2004 conviction for possession of child pornography in New Mexico. After transferring supervision to Western Washington, monitoring equipment flagged his continued access to illicit websites in 2009. Rather than face justice, Stilson fled to Mexico. He was eventually caught attempting to re-enter the U.S., and convicted in 2012 for failing to register as a sex offender – a clear indication he’d learned nothing.
The latest case unfolded in December 2015 when Stilson’s probation officer noticed an alarming number of electronic devices, a direct violation of his supervised release terms. A forensic examination of those devices unearthed a sickening trove of images depicting children engaged in sexually explicit acts. But the depravity didn’t stop there. Stilson was actively using a messaging service favored by teenagers, posing as a young boy to lure vulnerable girls into sending him explicit photos.
The investigation revealed a calculated attempt to exploit children. In one particularly disturbing instance, Stilson sent a young girl child pornography in a blatant effort to coerce her into sending him similar images. The U.S. Probation Office played a crucial role in uncovering this ongoing criminal activity. A routine home inspection revealed Stilson using a smartphone – another prohibited item – prompting a search that turned up three smartphones and other digital devices. Seattle PD’s ‘Bear,’ a canine specially trained to sniff out electronics, was instrumental in locating the evidence.
“This individual demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory behavior and a complete disregard for the law and, more importantly, the safety of children,” said a source close to the investigation who wished to remain anonymous. “The length of the sentence sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated.”
The case was a collaborative effort between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Seattle Police Department, and the U.S. Probation Office. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hampton prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a sentence that, while not erasing the harm done, offers a measure of justice. Stilson’s lifetime of supervised release will hopefully provide some degree of protection to the community, but the scars of his crimes will undoubtedly linger.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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