Trucker Sentenced After Police Seized Child Porn Materials in Smyrna

WILMINGTON, Del. – A judge has sentenced an out-of-state truck driver to more than 27 years in prison on charges of of transporting, receiving, and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika presided over the trial, and sentenced David Morison to 327 months of imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release on Jan. 8. Upon his release from prison, Morrison, will be required to register as a sex offender.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare prosecuted the case.

“This sentence underscores the strength of our partnership with United States Attorney’s Office District of Delaware the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, whose prosecutors worked tirelessly alongside our agents to ensure justice was served,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia, Eric D. McLoughlin. “Together, we remain committed to identifying these predators, removing them from our communities, and seeking justice for survivors.”

According to court documents and statements made in open court, the investigation into Morrison began after law enforcement received 13 cyber tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reporting that Morrison had uploaded (or attempted to upload) CSAM to his various digital accounts. Law enforcement learned that Morrison was in Smyrna for work, and executed a federal search warrant of his truck. Following a search of Morrison’s phone, law enforcement located approximately 164 media files (25 videos and 139 pictures) containing CSAM, including files depicting the sexual exploitation of infants and toddlers.

In those files, law enforcement identified images of a girl who appeared to be Morrison’s minor relative. That relative was subsequently interviewed and disclosed to law enforcement that Morrison sexually abused her on multiple occasions between the ages of six and 11. She also confirmed that she was the child pictured in several of Morrison’s photographs.

“There are no victims more vulnerable than children—and there are no victims for whom my Office will fight harder,” said U.S. Attorney Wallace. “This just sentence reflects the profound harm that David Morrison caused to his many victims, most especially his minor relative who Morrison repeatedly sexually abused. I thank our partners at HSI, whose excellent investigative work across multiple jurisdictions led to the arrest and conviction of this dangerous child predator.”