Authorities say that it was the bravery of an out-of-state minor that brought an online predator from St. Clair County to justice.
Raymond Alexander Elliott, 35, of Columbus, Michigan, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for attempting to coerce a minor into producing sexually explicit images online. Though he was sentenced on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, the case began three years ago, when in 2021, Elliott engaged in a pattern of sexual exploitation online and requested sexually explicit images from a 13-year-old boy who resided in Missouri.
With the victim coming forward that same year, the FBI began investigating the St. Clair County man, with the minor giving investigating agents his cellphone. When Elliott reached out to the victim for more sexually explicit images and conversations, he had no idea he was actually speaking with an FBI agent.
After identifying him via social media accounts, investigators were able to track Elliott down to his Michigan home, with a search warrant executed at the address in January 2022. Agents found a large amount of child pornography on the man’s devices, as well as communications with other online users in which Elliott discussed sexually exploiting children and shared and distributed child pornography.
Upon arrest, Elliott admitted to possessing and distributing child pornography online, as well as the inappropriate communications with the Missouri minor.
The FBI urges the public to report alleged crimes of child sexual or physical abuse by calling 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or submitting tips online to http://tips.fbi.gov.
