News Summary
In a recent case from Williamsburg, a 22-year-old man, Xavier Joseph Stafford, has pleaded guilty to distributing obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse and threatening a police officer. The threats included disturbing animated images and comments directed towards the officer and his family. Stafford is set to be sentenced soon, facing serious prison time as part of a wider initiative aimed at combating child exploitation. This case highlights the growing concern around digital child exploitation and the importance of community and law enforcement collaboration.
Williamsburg – A 22-year-old man, Xavier Joseph Stafford, has pleaded guilty to distributing obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse and threatening a police officer. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The incidents leading to Stafford’s guilty plea began on February 14 and 15, when a local police officer asked him to remove his vehicle from private property. Four days later, on February 18, Stafford sent an email to the officer that included severe threats against the officer’s daughter while also attaching disturbing animated images of child sexual abuse.
In addition to these threats, Stafford’s email contained a live photo that looped several frames showcasing the officer’s home. The nature of the threats and the graphic content of the images prompted immediate scrutiny from law enforcement.
Stafford is scheduled to be sentenced on December 4. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with a maximum possibility of 20 years behind bars. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Therese O’Brien, and the plea was accepted by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to protect children and address offenses involving child pornography and abuse.
The investigation into Stafford’s actions was initiated after the police officer, referred to in reports as “Officer S.S.,” received threatening emails. The first email sent by Stafford contained not only racist comments aimed at the officer but also referred to him as a “rookie.” The more serious threats came in a subsequent email that included sexual threats about the officer’s daughter along with the inappropriate visual content.
Law enforcement agencies acted quickly in tracking down the source of the emails and successfully traced the email address back to Stafford during the investigation led by the FBI. The police officer involved mentioned that he was familiar with Stafford due to past encounters, where he had previously requested Stafford to remove his car from unauthorized areas. In those interactions, Stafford had even requested the officer’s contact details, including his professional email address.
Further investigations of Stafford’s electronic devices revealed disturbing discoveries. Authorities found up to six images of animated child pornography on both Stafford’s phone and computer, emphasizing the severity of the offenses committed by him. Following the arrest of Stafford, the threatening emails directed toward the officer ceased, indicating a direct correlation between the arrest and the cessation of his threats.
The case sheds light on critical issues surrounding child exploitation and the proactive measures being taken by law enforcement to both apprehend perpetrators and promote awareness. The Project Safe Childhood initiative continues to call for a collective effort by the community and law enforcement to protect children and curb the growing concern of digital child exploitation.
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Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
