DETROIT — A Michigan man posed as a psychologist and persuaded mothers across the country to sexually assault their children as a form of therapy, then send him the images of the attacks, authorities said Monday.
Since authorities arrested him in October, seven children have been rescued and at least three mothers have been arrested. Prosecutors say all of the children are now safe.
Steven Demink, 41, of Redford Township, Mich., appeared Monday in federal court to enter a guilty plea on six charges related to the sexual exploitation of children. Seven charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. He faces 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced in June.
Court documents paint a picture of a man who targeted single mothers and, in some cases, promised a date if they followed through with his directions. He would identify himself as Dalton St. Clair, a single father of a 14-year-old girl, prosecutors said, and posted pictures of male models as his headshot.
He connected with mothers in New Hampshire, Idaho, Florida and elsewhere from April 2009 until September 2010, authorities say, and coerced and enticed them to engage in sexual acts with their children — then send images via e-mail or through a live Web stream. The children ranged in age from 3 to 15.
According to the plea agreement, Demink engaged in online chats with an Oregon woman about the sexual development of her 8-year-old autistic son. He told her to engage in sexually explicit conduct with her son as a way to teach him about sex, and she did so while Demink watched on a Web camera, prosecutors say.
“Demink intimated to these women that the result of the therapy would be healthier children,” the document said.
The arrested mothers include Rebecca Nail, who lived in New Hampshire when the crimes occurred. She pleaded guilty in December to producing child pornography.
