Stephen Andrew Waligore, age 41, recently of Marquette, was sentenced to prison with the Michigan Department of Corrections on July 22, 2020 after previously pleading guilty to seven counts of Aggravated Child Sexually Abusive Activity and two counts of Sodomy (bestiality).
The defendant entered his guilty pleas on April 24, 2020. As part of his plea agreement, he also had to plead guilty in Branch County, Michigan to one count of Possession of Child Sexually Abusive Material, and to one count of Possession With Intent to Promote Child Pornography in Tarrant County, Texas.
The defendant was sentenced to 8 – 25 years in prison on each of the Child Sexually Abusive Activity charges and 277 days for each of the Sodomy charges with credit for 277 days already served in jail. All sentences are to run concurrently, meaning the earliest date he is eligible for parole is October 18, 2027. Any sentences received in Branch County, Michigan and Tarrant County, Texas will run concurrently as well.
The investigation began in September of 2019 when members of the Michigan State PoliceInternet Crimes Against Children Task Force received information from a detective in the Arlington, Texas Police Department that the defendant had been soliciting a minor female in Texas to create sexually explicit videos of herself. A search of the defendant’s electronic devices showed that he was in possession of a video of that child being sexually exploited, and that he had sent sexually explicit videos of himself to her as well.
Further investigation led to the discovery that the defendant had been downloading and sending child sexually abusive material over the internet. Also discovered were videos of the defendant engaged in sexual activity with a dog. The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Andrew G. Griffin, who stated:
“This case is a strong reminder to all parents that predators are roaming the internet looking for children to exploit. Never assume your children are safe, as predators like Mr. Waligore are a constant threat always looking for more victims.”
“Preying on children is one of the most heinous crimes a person can do, and we will continue to work with all law enforcement agencies to ensure such defendants are held accountable for their actions and removed from society to minimize their ability to harm children,” said Marquette County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Wiese. “Monitor your children’s online activities, and let them know that they can come to you if anyone ever tries to have any inappropriate contact with them, either in person, or online.”
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