Michael David Seeds, Child Exploitation, Virginia 2023

Table of Contents

South Riding Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation

Alexandria, Va. – In a shocking case of online exploitation, a 28-year-old South Riding man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Michael David Seeds, a resident of South Riding, Virginia, was found guilty of directing a 14-year-old victim to record images and videos of herself that were sexual in nature.

According to court documents, Seeds began communicating online with the victim via Discord, an Internet-based text, voice, and video messaging chat forum, on June 28, 2023. Seeds purchased and gifted a new Discord subscription to the victim and created a username for her that included the word ‘victim.’ During video chats, Seeds would instruct the victim on how to pose, remove her clothing, and what sexual actions to perform during the live stream.

The case was announced after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa K. Strobbe prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The PSN program is based on core principles that include fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Seeds was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his crimes. The 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. 1:26-CR-55.

Michael David Seeds, 28, of South Riding, Virginia, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Seeds was found guilty of directing a 14-year-old victim to record images and videos of herself that were sexual in nature.

The crime occurred from July through August 2023. Seeds was sentenced to 12 years in prison on [No date mentioned but based on sentencing year] for his crimes.