ILLINOIS — A 40-year-old British national, Scott West, has been sentenced to 42 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of minors, many of whom were located in Central Illinois, federal officials announced this week.
West’s case, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois, involved a disturbing scheme in which he and a co-conspirator created a fake social media account posing as a young woman. They used the account to solicit sexually explicit images from underage boys, coercing continued participation through threats and manipulation.
Predator Masquerading as a Teen Girl Online
According to court documents, West targeted victims both in the U.S. and abroad. He posed as a teenage girl on social platforms to build trust with minors before pressuring them to share explicit content. He then used threats of exposure or harm to continue the abuse.
“West manipulated and preyed upon children on two continents in his quest to fulfill his own sexual desires,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger in a statement.
Extradition and Conviction
West was indicted in December 2022 and extradited from the United Kingdom in October 2024 following a formal request by the U.S. Department of Justice. He has been held in federal custody since his arrival.
In January 2025, West pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a child, each carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years.
U.S. Chief District Judge Sara Darrow ultimately sentenced West to 42 years, citing the calculated and repeated nature of his offenses and the use of deceit to manipulate children.
Law Enforcement Collaboration Spanned Two Countries
The investigation involved extensive coordination between U.S. and UK authorities, including the:
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U.S. Secret Service – Springfield Resident Office
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Greater Manchester Police (UK)
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Illinois State Police
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U.S. Marshals Service
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Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs
Michael Kurzeja, Resident Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Springfield office, called the crimes “insidious”, emphasizing that “adults should be protectors of children, not predators.”
Part of DOJ’s Project Safe Childhood
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse through federal, state, and local partnerships.
Officials used the opportunity to remind families of available tools and resources:
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The CyberTipline run by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
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Parent guides on online safety and digital communication
Do you talk with your kids about online safety? Share how your family handles digital protection at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com to help other parents stay informed and alert.
