Attorney General Lynn Fitch Announces Verdicts in Child Abuse Cases

Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced the recent convictions of two individuals in connection with child exploitation cases.

Robert Christian McMorrow of San Diego, California, and Scott Kevin Merrill of Moselle, Mississippi, were both found guilty and sentenced following investigations initiated by CyberTips and reported to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.

The agency conducted the investigation and prosecuted both cases.

Attorney General Fitch stressed the importance of vigilance and reporting in the fight against child exploitation. She said:

“My office is committed to finding and removing predators from communities across our state before they have the opportunity to do more harm,” Fitch said. “I hope these cases serve as an important reminder to speak out if you suspect a child is being exploited. One tip can begin the path to justice for a young life and save countless others from abuse.”

On August 5, Judge Larry Bourgeois of the Harrison County Circuit Court sentenced McMorrow, 27, to 20 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. McMorrow will serve six years without the possibility of parole followed by five years of supervised probation for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). At the time of the crime, McMorrow was temporarily stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) assisted in the investigation. After his release, McMorrow will be required to register as a sex offender.

Similarly, on July 23, Jones County Circuit Court Judge Dal Williamson sentenced Merrill, 67, to 40 years in prison. Merrill will serve 10 years without the possibility of parole, followed by five years of supervised probation for the CSAM possession charge. Like McMorrow, Merrill will be required to register as a sex offender upon release.

These cases were part of a broader effort by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Cyber ​​Crime Division, which manages the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which includes more than 80 law enforcement agencies in Mississippi.

Attorney General Fitch encouraged the public to report information about child sexual exploitation online. Reports can be made 24/7 through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) hotline at 1-800-843-5678 or online at www.cybertipline.org. Tips are forwarded to the Attorney General’s office for further action.