Two men behind an international online child exploitation ring have been sentenced in U.S. federal court. Tristan Scott Blank, of Geneseo, received 32 years after pleading guilty to five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, while his co-conspirator, Scott West of Manchester, England, was extradited to the United States and sentenced to 42 years for similar crimes. Investigators say the pair posed as a young woman on social media, soliciting explicit images from minors and using threats to coerce ongoing abuse. The case involved cooperation across local, federal, and international agencies. Parents are urged to visit missingkids.org for online safety tips and resources.
Initially, Blank came under suspicion by the Geneseo Police for harassment related to text messages in 2018, but subsequent investigations by the Geneseo and Kewanee Police Departments revealed a much darker pattern of abuse. During his plea hearing, the United States Attorney’s Office said that Blank had been arrested on new charges. Authorities detailed that Blank posed as a female online, targeting over 20 victims, enticing them to send explicit images, and then using those images to threaten and coerce ongoing abuse. The case highlights the critical role of interagency cooperation in uncovering serious digital predation affecting minors across multiple jurisdictions.
At a federal sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow expressed that the gravity of the case involving Blank was difficult to comprehend. The court heard how Blank sexually assaulted two children and exploited 21 others, impacting a total of 23 young lives in ways described as permanent and life-altering. Judge Darrow emphasized that many of the victims were personally known to Blank or had been deliberately targeted. The prosecutor detailed patterns of manipulation, underscoring the prolonged trauma faced by the children involved. The severity of the offenses is expected to be reflected in the sentencing decision.
“Without the diligent efforts of our investigators and the unwavering collaboration among our law enforcement partners, this case would not have reached its current stage. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community, especially our most vulnerable members.”
Scott West, a 40-year-old man from Manchester, UK, has been handed a 42-year prison sentence after being convicted of three counts of child sexual exploitation. U.S. authorities revealed that West, along with a co-conspirator, posed as a young woman on a major social media platform to target underage boys, soliciting explicit images and using threats to demand more. Victims included minors from Illinois and other countries. After his indictment in 2022, West was extradited from the UK in 2024 and pleaded guilty earlier this year. The court emphasized the calculated deception and coercion involved in his crimes.
A coordinated international operation has led to the successful arrest and extradition of a defendant from the United Kingdom to the United States. U.S. authorities credit the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Secret Service, and the Greater Manchester Police’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team for their crucial roles. The Illinois State Police and several local agencies—including the Geneseo, Colona, Kewanee, and Moline police departments, along with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office—provided additional support. Braveheart Child Advocacy Center and the U.S. Marshals Service also played a significant part. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seberger, highlighting a strong collaborative effort across borders.
“West manipulated and preyed upon children on two continents in his quest to fulfill his own sexual desires,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger. “This extradition and sentence ensured that his American victims received justice in the United States for his crimes. We will continue to work with law enforcement across the globe to bring justice to victims of abuse.”
“Adults should protect children, not prey upon them online as the predator in this case did to victims in multiple countries. The sentencing in this case reflects the heinousness of this man’s insidious actions to threaten and harm kids,” said Michael Kurzeja, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Springfield Resident Office. “The Secret Service is committed to keeping children safe online and pursuing crimes committed against them. Thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of Illinois, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Greater Manchester Police Serious Crime Division in England, the Illinois State Police and all of our local law enforcement partners for helping bring this defendant to justice.”
Federal authorities have intensified efforts to fight child sexual exploitation as part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006. The program brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify and prosecute offenders and rescue victims of online abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois, in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, urges parents to have open conversations about online safety. Children experiencing online threats are encouraged to reach out to a trusted adult or professional. Concerns can also be reported via NCMEC’s CyberTipline or by contacting [email protected].
