Caledonia Man Charged With Sexually Exploiting Four Minors

<_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="GRAND RAPIDS" datavalue="GRAND RAPIDS"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="KALAMAZOO" datavalue="KALAMAZOO"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="MARQUETTE" datavalue="MARQUETTE"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="LANSING" datavalue="LANSING"> GRAND RAPIDS - U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Scott Michael Elam, 41, of Caledonia, was arrested and indicted on seven counts of sexually exploiting a minor.

"We are committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation and holding offenders accountable," said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "I am grateful to the Kent County Sheriff's Office and the FBI for their investigative work as we prepare to make our case."

According to court documents, Elam is charged with sexually exploiting four different minors. The indictment alleges that Elam recorded himself having sex with one of the minors on two different occasions and directed the other victims to take explicit photos and videos of themselves and then send them to him.

If convicted, Elam faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison for each count.

"The indictment of Scott Elam underscores the FBI's unwavering commitment to protecting children and holding predators accountable," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "The alleged sexual exploitation of four minors by Mr. Elam is appalling, and such behavior will not be tolerated. I am deeply grateful for the relentless efforts of our dedicated team in Michigan, including the West Michigan-based Child Exploitation Task Force (WEBCHEX) and the Kent County Sheriff's Office. Together, we will ensure that those who prey on our most vulnerable are brought to justice and that our communities remain safe from these heinous threats."

"The Kent County Sheriff's Office is committed to continuing the fight against the exploitation of children through our federal partnerships," said Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young. "Furthermore, this investigation prompts a reminder to our communities to have courageous conversations with your children about the dangers social media presents."

The Kent County Sheriff's Office and FBI are investigating this case, and Assistant United States Attorney Olivia Ghiselli is prosecuting it.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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