SALFORD MAN SENTENCED TO 42 YEARS FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION IN US
A Salford man named Scott West could face life imprisonment after admitting to child sex offences in the United States.Scott West has been sentenced to 42 years in federal prison following a conviction by a court in Illinois on three counts of sexual exploitation of a child.
The 40-year-old, who was previously employed as a website developer at the Christian charity GoChurch Global in Salford Quays, was extradited to the US after a joint investigation involving the US Secret Service and Greater Manchester Police.
The investigation uncovered that West and an unidentified accomplice created fake social media profiles pretending to be women, which they used to contact and manipulate young boys into sending sexually explicit photos.
West, who resides on Shakespeare Crescent, threatened to expose the children unless they sent more images.
The US Attorney's Office stated that West 'knowingly solicited sexually explicit photos from underage boys in multiple different countries.' Several victims were located in central Illinois.
West's offences involved the 'knowing misrepresentation of a participant's identity to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct,' as described by U.S.
Chief District Judge Sara Darrow.
West pleaded guilty in January, and during the court hearing, Assistant U.S.
Attorney Sarah E.
Seberger emphasized that West 'manipulated and preyed upon children on two continents in his quest to fulfil his own sexual desires.' She added, 'This extradition and sentence ensured that his American victims received justice in the United States for his crimes.' The investigation and sentencing were part of ongoing efforts to work with law enforcement worldwide to bring justice to victims of abuse.
Michael Kurzeja, resident agent in charge of the U.S.
Secret Service Springfield office, commented on the case, highlighting that adults should protect children rather than exploit them online, as West did to victims across multiple countries.
