Bellingham couple arrested as part of child sexual exploitation investigation
A Bellingham woman has been charged for her involvement in the sexual exploitation of a minor by her boyfriend, who was arrested in April for possession of child sexual abuse material.
Courtney Jean Bartilson, 36, was arrested Friday for promoting the commercial sexual abuse of a child and third-degree conspiracy to commit rape of a child. Police began investigating Bartilson after the April 4 arrest of her boyfriend, 41-year-old Ben Christopher Spencer of Bellingham.
Spencer began exchanging explicit text messages with a teenager in March. Court records show that Spencer solicited nude photos from the girl and sent her at least one nude photo of himself.
Detectives later learned that Bartilson knew of these messages and photos and encouraged them rather than reporting it, according to court documents. In mid-March, Bartilson then threatened to contact police if Spencer didn’t pay her $200 a week, investigators allege.
Spencer was charged with possession and viewing of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit material, communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and sexual exploitation of a minor. He posted bail April 8 and pleaded not guilty to all charges April 11.
Bartilson’s arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 29. She remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
This story was originally published August 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM.