Registered Sex Offender sentenced to 5+ years in prison for possession of images of child sexual abuse

Seattle – A 59-year-old Shoreline, Washington man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 66 months in prison for possession of images of child sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Bruce Arthur Williamson came to the attention of federal law enforcement in October 2019 when Williamson communicated with an undercover agent in Tennessee regarding images of child sexual abuse. Law enforcement traced the communications to a residence Williamson shared with other sex offenders in Shoreline. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones imposed 15 years of supervised release to follow the prison term.

At the sentencing hearing Judge Jones said, “Young children are not pieces of candy in a dish that you get to pick to violate… You participated in a market that makes it a dangerous place for children.” Judge Jones expressed concern that despite a prior conviction, sentencing and treatment, Williamson had failed to register as a sex offender and again sought out child sex abuse material.

The FBI executed a federal search warrant on the residence in May 2020. A forensic investigation by law enforcement determined that various electronic devices owned by Williamson contained images of child sexual abuse. Williamson fled following the search and was ultimately located living homeless in November 2023 when he came into federal custody.

Williamson pleaded guilty in February 2024. The plea to federal charges also resolves a state charge of failing to register as a sex offender.

In asking the court for the 78-month sentence Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson wrote to the court, “Those who collect and share images and videos of children being assaulted further a market that thrives on the sexual abuse of children. The collection of this material drive demand for new material and normalize horrific acts of sexual exploitation. And it subjects victims of child abuse to perpetual re-victimization, knowing that the digital record of their worst moments forever travels the globe to whet the sexual appetite of child predators. The defendant has proven by his repeated crimes against minors that he is an unapologetic child predator.”

The FBI investigated this case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Y. Gregson.