REDFORD TOWNSHIP MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON ON CHARGES OF SEXUALLY EXPLOITING CHILDREN
Steven Demink, 41 of Redford, Michigan, was sentenced today to life in prison after having pleaded guilty to six counts related to sexually exploiting children, announced United States Attorney Barbara McQuade. Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Brian Moskowitz, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigation.
"This sentence reflects the outrageous harm this predator inflicted on innocent children," McQuade said. "In some ways, the defendant has already imposed a life sentence on them."
"Demink's manipulative and predatory actions give new meaning to the word depravity. Demink stole the innocence from these children in the most harmful of ways by orchestrating the mothers to be the instrument of their sexual abuse" said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Detroit. "Unfortunately, even this significant sentence cannot give these children back their innocence, but it should serve as a stark warning to others like Demink: HSI and our partners will be relentless in our pursuit of those who prey on our kids."
Demink pleaded guilty earlier this year. The plea agreement detailed Demink's use of a fictitious character named Dalton St. Clair, whom he described as a trained psychologist and single father of a 14 year-old girl. Using the St. Clair persona, Demink targeted single mothers on the dating website singleparentmeet.com." Demink befriended several mothers over the course of approximately 18 months between 2009-2010. Demink, relying on St. Clair's alleged psychological training, convinced seven (7) mothers to commit sex acts on their children. These sex acts were part of a "re-training" of the children. As noted in the plea agreement, the mothers and their children were from all over the country, and the child victims ranged in age from three years old to 15 years old, and were both boys and girls.
Demink pleaded guilty to counts related to mothers from Virginia, Idaho, and Florida, and agreed that at sentencing the judge may consider conduct related to all of the children. The investigation in this case led to charges against Demink, as well as most of the seven mothers. In addition to Demink, two of the mothers have already pleaded guilty to their crimes.
McQuade praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations agents Ted Wolters and Victim Witness Coordinator Amy Allen, who traveled around the country to coordinate the investigation and charges against the mothers and the rescuing of 12 children. HSI Agents worked tirelessly in investigating this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin M. Mulcahy and Hala Jarbou are prosecuting the case for the United States.
