CALEDONIA, Mich. — A West Michigan man already facing sex crime charges involving underage girls was charged in federal court this week.
Scott Elam, 41, of Caledonia, is now charged with seven counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He's accused of sexually exploiting four different minors.
A grand jury delivered the indictment out of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan on Wednesday.
Investigators allege he recorded himself having sex with one of the underage girls and directed other victims to take inappropriate photos and videos of themselves to then send to him.
“We are committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation and holding offenders accountable,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said. “I am grateful to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI for their investigative work as we prepare to make our case.”
If convicted, he could be sentenced to a minimum of 15 years behind bars and a maximum sentence of 30 years 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.”
