Billings Man Admits To Attempted Sex Trafficking

From the U.S. Department of Justice for the District of Montana:

A Billings man admitted today to a sex trafficking crime after being accused of offering to provide a minor girl alcohol in exchange for sex.

Joshua Allen Morgan, 40, of Billings, pleaded guilty to attempted sex trafficking of a minor. Morgan faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to a lifetime of supervised release.

Under the terms of a plea agreement, the parties agree that a sentence of no less than 15 years in prison is appropriate.

A sentencing date has not been set yet, and the court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Morgan was detained pending further proceedings.

According to the court

In March 2023, following Morgan's arrest on other charges, law enforcement served a search warrant on his phone. Law enforcement found Facebook communications between Morgan and a juvenile girl, identified as Jane Doe.

In an interview with law enforcement, Jane Doe disclosed that she had met Morgan when she was 15 or 16 after he began sending her messages on Facebook. Morgan provided Doe with alcohol, and they spent time together.

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During this period, Morgan sexually assaulted Doe at his residence. In March 2024, Morgan and Doe began corresponding again and discussions involved Morgan providing Doe with alcohol in exchange for sexual conduct.

Doe informed Morgan she was a juvenile, and Morgan instructed her not to disclose their relationship to anyone. Doe and Morgan did meet, but Doe left prior to engaging in sexual conduct with Morgan.

Source: Justice.gov