Disgraced child magician arrested on child pornography charges

metro

From Chris Harris

Angry parents in a New Jersey suburb are demanding the resignation of a local politician after her ex-husband, a disgraced child magician, was recently arrested on child pornography charges.

Scott Morley, former owner of Morley’s Magic Theater in Butler, was arrested on May 15 for possession of child sexual abuse images and endangering the welfare of a child.

The police confiscated the disturbing images on his computer and found girls’ underwear in his apartment.

The 48-year-old was best known as “Morley the Magician” and hosted children’s parties throughout the tri-state area.

He and his soon-to-be ex-wife also owned and operated Morley’s Magic Shop in Butler since 2014, where they offered after-school programs as well as magic and puppet-making workshops.

During the holidays, Morley’s Magic Theater invited children to Christmas performances – with the Morleys in the roles of Santa Claus and his wife.

Since the raid, Morley has taken down his social media pages and website.

Morley’s estranged wife, Britni Morley, sits on the Butler City Council.

Although she is not accused of any crime, seven Butler parents who spoke to The Washington Post on condition of anonymity accuse her of knowing about her ex-husband’s crimes and are calling for her resignation.

The Morleys have two young daughters and all four performed as artists until the end of last year.

The couple separated in February and Britni filed for divorce in March.

According to an affidavit, a suspected witness came forward in April.

He was commissioned to paint the theater at Morley’s Magic Shop and completed the job in 2022.

At some point during the renovation, the worker allegedly came across a bag containing the underwear and several USB sticks.

The alleged witness, authorities said in the affidavit, confronted Morley about the horrific discovery, and the magician began smashing the USB sticks with a hammer.

Why the plaintiff waited so long to speak up is not mentioned in the affidavit.

Some in Butler believe Britni knew what was going on long before his arrest.

The councillor’s father, Walter Orcutt, is also a local politician and serves as deputy mayor of Blairstown.

Andrew DeLaney, Britni Morley’s divorce attorney, said his client has cooperated fully with the investigation into her husband.

“Any suggestion that she is guilty is baseless, repugnant and ultimately damaging to the criminal process,” he said. “We want to finalize the divorce so that my client can focus on raising her two children and providing for them financially and emotionally.”

Parents are expected to turn out in large numbers at the next Butler council meeting on June 18 to demand Britni Morley’s resignation.

“My children were in the care programs and we were scammed by Britni, who served our children on a silver platter for Scott’s fantasies,” another mother told the Post. “I am disgusted, horrified, sad and angry. It was only because of his wife that I entrusted my daughter and son to them.”

“He has to go to prison with his wife because he knows about it,” the parent added.

Another mother said the Butler community wants answers, including whether the magician had pictures of her children.

“She’s still on the city council and still has access to the children,” the mother said. “I’m not sure why she hasn’t been charged.”

“It was heartbreaking to learn about Scott and his sick secrets,” mother Candida Santee told The Post. “I think many of us are just so distressed by Britni and Scott’s behavior and their lack of empathy toward the families.”

Prosecutors said the investigation into Scott Morley began recently “when the Morris County District Attorney’s Office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received an anonymous tip.”

The affidavit states that Morley told police he had “approximately 50 questionable images” on his phone, but “several” more on other devices.

When asked about the pictures, he told the police that he preferred “the younger ones”.

The affidavit states that he admitted to using the underwear and the illegal images for masturbation.

Morley is also said to have told investigators after his arrest that he had been collecting child pornography since 1996.

He was released from custody without bail.

He is prohibited from using the Internet and may not have contact with minors.

Morley did not respond to requests for comment.

His lawyer, Robert Bianchi, said his “client maintains his innocence and we are satisfied that the court saw fit to release him despite the prosecution’s objections.”

Many of the parents who spoke to The Post claim they have tried to reach Butler Mayor Ryan Martinez through his personal Facebook page, as well as by phone call and text message, asking if Morley plans to resign.

They claim he responded by blocking them.

“It seems like there is a huge effort being made to silence the parents and protect Britni,” said one of the anonymous parents.

Martinez, an attorney, appointed Scott Morley to the county’s Economic Development Commission in February 2023.

He is said to have referred Britni Morley to her divorce lawyer.

He did not respond to calls or emails requesting comment.

Butler County Administrator Jim Lampmann told the Post, “The mayor, like all county officials, understands and shares the concern and outrage these allegations have generated. This matter will be handled by the appropriate authorities, and they, not Facebook, must be the source of information and comment to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect the victims, families and all those involved in this matter.”