Maryland Heights Man Admits Sex with Teen He Met Online

ST. LOUIS – A man from Maryland Heights, Missouri on Tuesday pleaded guilty to a federal crime and admitted having sexual contact with a 15-year-old that he’d met online.

Daniel J. Todd, 33, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor. Todd, who was then 32, communicated over social media with a 15-year-old girl between October of 2021 and February of 2022. After they arranged to meet, Todd picked up the victim from her home in St. Charles County on Dec. 4, 2021 and took her to his home, where he committed statutory sodomy. Todd admitted lying to the victim, telling her that he was 24. He also admitted acknowledging in communications with her afterwards that sexual contact between them is “technically rape and I could be arrested.”

Todd initially lied to law enforcement in an April 5, 2022 interview, denying any sexual contact with the girl. When confronted with their communications, he admitted having sexual contact with the minor despite knowing it was against the law.

As part of Todd’s plea, both prosecutors and Todd’s lawyer agreed to ask for 10 years in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release when he’s sentenced on February 9, 2023, but the decision is ultimately up to Judge Autrey.

The case was investigated by the St. Charles County Cybercrime Task Force, the Maryland Heights Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting the case.