QC man facing child sexual abuse material charges to remain in jail before trial | #childpredator | #onlinepredator | #sextrafficing

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Benjamin Morris, the Moline man charged with 30 felonies related to child sex abuse materials, will remain in jail before his trial.

The decision came at a hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 11. A judge agreed with the state’s argument that no discharge conditions would be enough to protect the community if Morris was allowed pretrial release.

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In a subsequent preliminary hearing, the judge said there was sufficient probable cause to proceed with the case. It was during this hearing that new details were released. A Rock Island Police detective testified that Morris’ geolocation was turned on when he was accused of recording criminal sexual abuse of children. Those locations included Devils Glen Park in Bettendorf and an unnamed hotel in Davenport. Additionally, Morris is accused of exchanging child sex abuse material with his brother, who is serving in the U.S. Air Force in London.

Morris’ next scheduled appearance will be at a pretrial conference on Thursday, Sept. 10.

In the afternoon of June 26, RIPD officers were dispatched to the Quad City Arts building on 2nd Avenue after receiving a report of a possible sex offense. Officers met with the complainants, who identified themselves as representatives with Predator Poachers Illinois, a group that conducts online stings targeting suspected child predators. According to RIPD, the complainants alleged they had used a decoy posing as a minor to communicate with Morris, further alleging that Morris admitted to having child pornography. 

READ MORE: How online predator hunters pointed police to a former Quad City Arts leader

Police said Morris was detained and questioned at the scene but was released shortly after the interaction. Police did seize his phone and wallet at the time. Search warrants were obtained, leading to Morris’ arrest on Monday. 

Predator Poachers Illinois posted a video in late June that appeared to show Morris being placed into a Rock Island police car outside the Quad City Arts facility in downtown Rock Island.

Earlier this month, Quad City Arts announced it had accepted the resignation of its interim executive director, saying, “At this time, there is no indication that any Quad City Arts programs, participants, students, apprentices, or community members were involved in or affected by the alleged conduct.”

The organization confirmed to News 8 that Morris served as interim executive director from April to June 2026. He previously served as the organization’s operations director.