The Newshound

Senior US Air Force officer accused over child abuse images was flown out of Britain before police could question him

Lt Col Michael Morris, who faces charges including possession and distribution of child pornography after prosecutors say he swapped abuse images with his brother via Telegram while posted in London.
Lt Col Michael Morris, who faces charges including possession and distribution of child pornography after prosecutors say he swapped abuse images with his brother via Telegram while posted in London.
The US embassy in south-west London, from which Morris was posted before being flown out of Britain in August — before Met Police could question him over alleged offences committed on UK soil.
The US embassy in south-west London, from which Morris was posted before being flown out of Britain in August — before Met Police could question him over alleged offences committed on UK soil.

Lt Col Michael Morris, 39, a US Air Force officer who served as assistant military attaché at the US Embassy in south-west London, is charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, obstructing justice, and "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman." Prosecutors allege he exchanged more than 75 abuse images of children under 13 with his brother Benjamin Morris via Telegram while stationed in London. The Air Force has scheduled a military hearing for November at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to decide whether the case proceeds to court-martial.

Benjamin Morris, 33, is facing trial in Illinois for 30 counts of making and sending abuse images of under-13s, charges he denies, relating to March-April 2026.

Westminster is raising fresh concerns over US authorities bypassing British legal jurisdiction, as Lt Col Morris left on a civilian flight in August without Met Police questioning him.

The case echoes the Anne Sacoolas row — a US embassy-linked individual departing the UK before British police could act, fuelling anger over diplomatic protection being exploited.

MoreThe TelegraphUS embassy worker in London accused of possessing child abuse imagesThe TimesUS embassy worker in London accused of possessing child abuse images - The TimesThe IndependentUS embassy worker probed over abuse images is senior Air Force officerThe SunUS diplomat flown out of UK after ‘swapping sick abuse images with brother’ named and picturedEvening StandardUS embassy worker accused over child abuse images is senior air force officerSuaraGarut.IDUS Air Force Officer Faces Charges in Child Abuse Image Case - SuaraGarut.IDThe Irish SunUS diplomat who 'swapped sick abuse images with brother' named & pictured - The Irish Sunwww.the-independent.comUS embassy worker accused over child abuse images is senior air force officer - www.the-independent.com
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →