06-02-2025
Caledonia man pleads guilty to sexual exploitation
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Caledonia man has pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting minors, according to federal attorneys.
Scott Michael Elam, 41, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a Wednesday release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Western District of Michigan. He could face anywhere from 15 to 90 years in prison, attorneys say.
Deputies: Caledonia man offered teens alcohol for sex
According to a federal indictment, Elam recorded himself and one minor engaging in sexual acts and also persuaded minors to create pornographic images and send them to him.
He was charged in Nov. 2024 with seven counts of sexually exploiting four different minors. Court documents say Elam recorded himself engaging in sexual acts with one of the minors two different times. Attorneys also say he told other victims to take explicit photos and videos and send them to him. He allegedly gave minors alcohol, marijuana, vapes and 'other contraband,' giving discounts for minors who sent sexually explicit videos to him or had sex with him, attorneys say.
Caledonia man faces federal sexual exploitation charges
'Mr. Elam's abhorrent criminal acts against minors are utterly indefensible, and such behavior is not acceptable,' wrote Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. 'I am deeply grateful for the relentless dedication and tireless efforts of the men and women of the FBI in Michigan, including the West Michigan-based Child Exploitation Task Force (WEBCHEX), our partners at the Kent County Sheriff's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the successful prosecution in the Western District of Michigan.'
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