MARQUETTE, MI— A Wisconsin man has been convicted in federal court of the sexual predation of a minor.
A Marquette jury found Todd Stafford, 59, of Bailey’s Harbor guilty of one count of coercion and enticement of a minor and two counts of interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Officials say Stafford met the victim, who was younger than 16, online. He traveled twice from Wisconsin to Michigan in hopes of having sex with the minor. The victim’s father eventually found their conversations and contacted law enforcement.
The father and the Iron Mountain Police Department took over communications with Stafford, posing as the minor and making arrangements to meet with him. In July of 2023, Stafford traveled to Michigan and went to a park to meet with the minor. Law enforcement was waiting and arrested him.
Stafford faces a sentence of up to life in prison.
