Michigan man sentenced to decades for sexually exploiting high school girls

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A 43-year-old man from Kent County was sentenced to decades in federal prison after pleading guilty to the sexual exploitation of a minor.

Scott Michael Elam was arrested and charged in November 2024 on seven counts of sexually exploiting four different minors. According to authorities, Elam recorded himself sexually assaulting one minor multiple times and convinced others to create and share explicit videos and photos with him.

He reportedly sold the minors alcohol, marijuana and vapes and offered to reduce prices for minors who provided sexually explicit content of themselves or engaged in sexual activities with him.

Elam pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in February.

He was sentenced to 30 years in prison and was ordered to forfeit his Caledonia home, where some of the crimes took place.