William Foster Alger, a 76-year-old resident of Hagerstown, Maryland, pled guilty on Mar. 9 to charges of coercion and enticement of a child after admitting to sexually exploiting minor victims living in South America.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly when such crimes cross international borders. Alger was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025 on child sex-abuse charges.
According to the plea agreement, between November 2023 and December 2024, Alger used mobile phones and online applications to persuade three minor victims in Ecuador to engage in sexual activity. He paid the victims’ mothers through Western Union for images depicting the minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Authorities said Alger frequently traveled to Ecuador, where he purchased land and built a residence. Investigators found numerous photos on his iCloud account showing him at his Ecuador home with the minor victims and their mothers.
Alger faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could receive up to life in prison for coercion and enticement. The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, which brings together law enforcement agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff from federal agencies to address threats posed by criminal cartels and transnational organizations.
Additionally, this prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation. The project coordinates resources from federal, state, and local agencies to locate offenders and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at justice.gov/psc.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended Homeland Security Investigations, the Hagerstown Police Department, and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work on the investigation. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow for prosecuting the case.
