Carlsbad man pleads guilty to enticement of a child

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –Billy George West, 78, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court on Jan. 10 to enticement of a minor. West will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

            According to the plea agreement and other court records, on April 30, 2021, West exchanged sexually explicit messages via telephone with a nine-year old girl in Florida. During the exchange, West using the screen name “Piper,” sent a photo of his genitalia and received a photo of the victim’s genitalia. West admitted that he knew the victim was a minor.

            West faces a minimum of 10 years and up to a statutory maximum of life in prison.

            The Roswell Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Carlsbad Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Marisa A. Ong is prosecuting the case.