A Middletown man, aged 53, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after admitting guilt to charges related to child sexual exploitation.

According to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office of Southern Ohio, William Scott Elam misrepresented himself online as a 14-year-old boy to earn the trust of young girls aged between 10 and 16.

The press release highlighted that Elam targeted young girls who were “vulnerable,” specifically those dealing with self-harm, body image issues, or other social challenges.

Over approximately four years, Elam established relationships with girls across seven states. During this time, he manipulated victims into sending nude photos, engaging in online sexual activities, and even self-harming, as detailed in the press release.

In one instance, Elam coerced a victim into performing sexual acts live online by threatening self-harm. He also convinced another victim to harm herself on video, exploiting her existing struggles with self-injury.

Elam used threats of exposing the nude images he had collected to force many of the girls into compliance. He reportedly posed as a teenage relative during his blackmailing endeavors, according to another press release.

“It is alleged that Elam also pretended to be a 14-year-old cousin to his other persona,” the release stated. “Using the second persona, he allegedly coerced the victim into sending new live sexual content by threatening to show “his cousin’s mom” her previous encounters with Elam.”

U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II described Elam as a cowardly predator who hides and seeks the weak.

“Predators like Elam hide behind a computer screen while preying on vulnerable children,” Gerace said. “But the damage they do is real, and so is the time they’ll spend in federal prison for it.”

Elam was arrested in October 2023 and pleaded guilty in July 2025.

On November 20, he received a sentence of 26 years in federal prison for 10 counts of coercion and enticement and one count of sexual exploitation of children.

[Feature Photo via Butler County SO]