Former Michigan Police Officer Pleads Guilty After Undercover Sting Exposed Attempt to Exploit Teen
GENESEE COUNTY, MI – A former Michigan police officer has pleaded guilty after being caught in a Genesee County undercover operation that revealed he attempted to pay for sex with a 15-year-old girl, authorities confirmed, according to FOX 2 Detroit .
Sting Operation Leads to Arrest
Jeffrey Morningstar, 61, entered a guilty plea this month to using a computer to commit a crime. In exchange, charges of child sexually abusive activity and an additional computer crime charge will be dismissed.
Morningstar was arrested during a Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team (G.H.O.S.T.) sting in July 2024, where investigators posed as human traffickers in Burton.
Sheriff Chris Swanson explained the encounter, saying,
“When Morningstar answered the call of our sting, he responded because a trafficker was selling a 15-year-old. He wanted to pay the trafficker $125 to have sex, and an extra $25 for the young victim to urinate on him.”
Former Law Enforcement Background
Morningstar once worked for the Detroit Police Department in the late 1990s before moving to smaller agencies. Most recently, he served with the Longboat Key Police Department outside of Tampa, Florida, where he spent 12 years and was promoted to sergeant.
Authorities emphasized that he was not an active police officer at the time of the sting operation.
Sentencing Scheduled
Morningstar is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3, 2025. Prosecutors said the guilty plea ensures accountability while sparing the victimized family further trauma from a trial.
Sheriff Swanson commended the work of G.H.O.S.T., noting that such operations are vital for deterring predators:
“Our task force exists to protect children and stop offenders before they can cause further harm. This case is a clear example of why we do what we do.”
Do you think former law enforcement officers convicted of crimes like this should face harsher penalties due to their past positions of trust? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
