On Thursday October 15, 2015, Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault Investigations (DVSA) unit engaged in a joint operation with Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with a search warrant service at a residence on Camellia Court, in Santa Rosa.
HSI was the primary investigating agency. Their investigation begin earlier in October. The male suspect began communicating by text with an adult female. During the texting, he sent the woman photos of young girls (approximate ages 9-10 years old) in various poses. None of the photos were child pornography, but the suspect made several sexual comments regarding the photos. These comments caused the woman great concern so she contacted HSI’s national tip line, and they begin their investigation.
Soon, HSI Agents learned that the male suspect was Ethan Monroe Morse, a 39 year old from Santa Rosa. He was currently employed as a substitute teacher in the Santa Rosa School District.
With assistance from our DVSA unit, HSI Agents wrote a search warrant for Morse’s residence and all computers and devices. They were searching for evidence of child pornography or other matter which might reveal victims. The Search Warrant was signed by a judge of Sonoma County Superior Court. The search warrant was served on Thursday at approximately 3:15 PM.
During the search warrant, Morse was surrendered his cell phone. Various electronic and computer devices were also seized and examined. The HSI Special Agent assigned as the computer forensic analyst located child pornography on Morse’s cell phone.
Morse was arrested and booked in the Sonoma County jail for possession of child pornography.
Morse produced the $30,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on October 21, 2015 at 8:30 AM in department 9.
The Santa Rosa School District was contacted and advised of the charges against Morse.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call HSI’s national toll-free tip line – 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) – or the Sonoma County Sheriff Department’s tip line at 707-565-2185.
SCSO report #151015-015
Prepared by Sergeant Cecile Focha
Media Relations / PIO
