United States of America v. Todd Allen Stafford

Grand Rapids, Michigan criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with engaging in exual activity with a 15-year-old boy (“M.V.”) whom he met through an online dating app. in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2422.

On April 28, 2023, Todd Stafford and minor male M.V. began corresponding on an
online hookup and dating website. At the time, Mr. Stafford was 59. M.V.’s dating profile listed his age as 18, but in reality he was 15. According to M.V., he listed his age as 18 because that was “the lowest age [one] could select” on the website.

At the time, Mr. Stafford worked for the Navy with his primary duties being to serve as a
Navy representative at honors funerals for deceased service members. Mr. Stafford worked two such honors funerals in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 28, 2023. He stayed in Iron Mountain, Michigan that night because he had family in the area.

While in Iron Mountain that evening, Mr. Stafford reached out to M.V. via the hookup
app and the two began exchanging messages. They discussed their sexual interests, and Mr. Stafford suggested that they meet up at his hotel so that he could give M.V. a massage. The two agreed to meet the next morning, and at 9:00 am on April 29, 2023, Mr. Stafford picked M.V. up at a pre-arranged meeting spot and drove him back to the hotel. M.V. had asked Mr. Stafford to pick him up, stating that his car was not working. In reality, M.V. could not drive to their meeting because he did not have a license. Once at the hotel, Mr. Stafford and M.V. undressed to their underwear, and Mr. Stafford gave M.V. a massage. Around 10:00 am, Mr. Stafford drove M.V. back to their prearranged meeting spot.

A jury found the Defendant guilty.

Affirmed on appeal.