EDVA and NCIS Seek Information About Victims in Child Exploitation Case

NORFOLK, Va. – The Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) have issued a call for victims of a man charged with child exploitation to come forward.

A criminal complaint filed on June 5, 2023, charged Lieutenant Commander (Select) Michael Andrew Widroff, a Naval Officer previously assigned as the psychologist for the USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN-78) in Norfolk, with attempting to produce child pornography, attempting to coerce or entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to transfer obscene matter to a minor. Widroff is alleged to have used the social media platform Snapchat to conduct this activity using the username “mikenavyguy78” and display name “M Sailorguy.”

Prior to serving on the USS GERALD R. FORD, Widroff worked or studied at the following institutions:

• Women’s League Home for Mentally Disabled Boys in Brooklyn, New York, from 2009 to 2016;
• City University of New York from approximately 2008 through 2011;
• Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, from approximately 2011 through 2017;
• Officer Training Command in Newport, Rhode Island, from August 2016 through September 2016;
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, from September 2016 through December 2017; and
• Naval Branch Health Clinic in Groton, Connecticut, from December 2017 through June 2021. 

Anyone who believes they have information relating to this case or are a victim of this individual, are encouraged contact NCIS via the NCIS Tips app or at www.ncis.navy.mil. Based on the information provided, respondents may be contacted by NCIS and asked to provide additional information.

If convicted, Widroff faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Victoria Liu is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-mj-107.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.