A Boynton Beach man has entered a plea of guilty for his role in the distribution of child sexual abuse material over the internet, the United States Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday. Timothy Burch Morris, 46, is now facing a minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years in federal prison, following his admission of guilt in a case that has highlighted the depth of internet-facilitated exploitation. Morris also faces a potential lifetime of supervised release, with his sentencing hearing set for January 27, 2025, according to information released by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The investigation into Morris began when an undercover FBI agent in Jacksonville, working on an online social media app, infiltrated a public chatroom aimed at individuals looking to exploit children. In a public group, Morris, using the username "timkw37138," initiated contact with a post stating, “Hi all. 44 very well hung male in Florida. My PM is open,” according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The following conversation evolved into an explicit exchange, where Morris declared a disturbing preference for children aged "prob 13-15 give or take a couple years neither side.” When the undercover agent claimed to have access to an even younger child, Morris's response, “Ow wow / That could work,” further implicated his intentions.
In a stark reminder of the dangers lurking behind screens, Morris provided verification of his authenticity by sending an explicit photo of himself, taken in a hotel room, and shortly after, two videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, further conversation led to Morris sending yet another graphic photo of himself to the undercover agent.
Law enforcement took swift action and arrested Morris near his home in Boynton Beach. During the arrest, agents discovered incriminating photos on Morris's phone, matching those he sent online. In an interview post-arrest, Morris confessed to owning the "timkw37138" account for over five years, and to deleting the app, due to starting conversations "that he should not be having," solidifying the evidence against him, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The successful outcome of this case was the result of collaborative efforts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation units in Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, along with assistance from the Boynton Beach Police Department. The prosecuting attorney, Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown, brought charges against Morris as part of Project Safe Childhood. This national initiative, launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice, continues to marshal resources on a federal, state, and local level to combat child exploitation and abuse. For more about the initiative, those interested may visit the Project Safe Childhood website, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
