Former Law Enforcement Officer Solicited Sex from a Minor: Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison
A federal court has sentenced Koby Don Wiliams, a former ICE officer, to nine years in prison for online enticement of a minor. Body cam footage credit: Othello Police Department.
Koby Don Williams was caught up in an undercover law enforcement operation to identify adults “interested in and willing to meet up with a minor for sex,” according to a Justice Department press release.
‘Rebecca’ the Undercover Cop
On July 23, 2022, Williams replied to an undercover cop named “Rebecca” on Craigslist, who he thought was a 13-year-old prostitute. Over the course of three days, Williams called and texted the decoy to discuss her age, what she charged for sex, his job and arrangements to meet at a hotel to have sex, according to his indictment. On July 26, Williams arrived at the Quality Inn in Othello, WA, to meet Rebecca but was arrested by law enforcement instead. While searching Williams’ vehicle, officers found two bottles of generic Viagra, $4,075 in cash, and his ICE badge.
At trial, Williams testified that he didn’t believe Rebecca was a minor and that he was there to rescue her. The jury didn’t believe him and handed down a guilty verdict. You can see the court’s judgment here.
Defense Argued that No Underage Victim = No Crime
Before his sentencing date, Williams attempted a motion for acquittal and retrial because he “did not entice an individual under the age of 18 to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity,” according to a court ruling. He also claimed that there was “insufficient evidence of enticement,” arguing that since the cop wasn’t underage, he shouldn’t be found guilty of minor enticement.
Based on previous rulings, though, the court concluded that “to be convicted of Attempted Online Enticement, an actual minor victim is not required.” And besides, the government presented “overwhelming evidence” that Rebecca, the potential victim, identified herself as being 13 years of age multiple times. The court said in its denial that the “defendant communicated with her for three days, negotiated prices for sex, convinced her that he would meet her at her hotel, and brought two large bottles of vodka, bottles of generic Viagra, and $4,075.00 in U.S. currency to the meeting.”
After prison, Williams will serve 15 years of supervised release.
Abuse of Power by an LE Officer
“Mr. Williams held a duty of trust within the Eastern Washington law enforcement community, and he breached that trust by seeking out what he thought was a child for sex,” said Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “He then attempted to use his position as a law enforcement officer to explain away his conduct.”
Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office, said that Williams “knew exactly what he was doing as he attempted to meet a minor for sex.”
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative started in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation.
“Sexual exploitation of children, human sex trafficking of children, and internet crimes against children often go unnoticed,” said Othello Police Detective Sergeant Brent McFarlane. “Sadly, the online world provides criminals with easy access to children. It is deeply concerning when a member of law enforcement is involved in committing these horrific acts.”
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