Butler Man Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

Published on May 28, 2024

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Butler Police Chief Scott Ricker announce the arrest of Scott Morley, age 48, of Butler, for alleged possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM).

The defendant has been charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (possession of CSAM), a third degree offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4B(5)(B)(iii). Morley was the owner of Morley’s Magic Theater in Butler.

The investigation began when the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received an anonymous tip that the defendant may be in possession of child pornography. A subsequent search of defendant’s electronic devices authorized by search warrant revealed items of suspected CSAM on his computer.

Morley was charged on May 15.  Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, the defendant has been released under pre-trial supervision PML III, including with the following conditions: no unsupervised internet usage, no unsupervised contact with minors under the age of 18, and remaining in the state of New Jersey.

Prosecutor Carroll would like to acknowledge the Butler Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their efforts in this investigation.

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of the Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Media inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to mknab@co.morris.nj.us