Lawyer- Neosho man awaiting sentencing on child porn charge had horrible childhood

The lawyer for a Neosho man awaiting sentencing for receiving child pornography says his client should receive a reduced sentence of 10 years because of his horrible childhood.

In a sentencing memorandum filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Springfield, the attorney, Shane Cantin of Springfield, says that while the crime committed by his client, Michael Wayne Stillwagon, 26, Neosho is not unique, the odds were stacked against Stillwagon from the start.

His offense conduct is virtually identical to the offense conduct sections of PSR’s found in almost every case involving a similarly charged defendant. What is more unique to Michael is the scope of the sexual abuse he endured as a child. 

From as early as he can remember to approximately 12 years old Michael was raped and sexually abused by multiple persons including his father and a friend of his father. 

Without delving into the specifics of childhood development during those young years, this Court knows that a child learns and absorbs a tremendous amount in that time. Children that age should start school, learn how to interact with their peers, learn manners and boundaries, learn how to regulate and control their emotions, and learn right from wrong. 

Children in that age should learn these things in an environment where they feel love and stability and safety. 

Michael learned none of those things and grew up in an environment where he had no opportunity to do so. He had parents who seemingly did not want him. His mother was an addict killed when Michael was very young. His father was a drug addict who also went to prison. 

If his two brothers are a reflection of the childhood Michael endured, one is dead from an apparent overdose and one is in prison for rape. 

In a form provided to Michael by counsel to assist him in thinking about his allocution one of the questions asks what, if anything, Michael would say to his family. Michael’s handwritten answer puts his sadness into perspective: 

 “My family (biological) are the only ones I would say this to. While I made the choices that put me here, I would not have become this person, most likely, if you would have held those who hurt me, while you watched, accountable. You endorsed and helped those abusing me. I do take accountability for what I’ve done. That doesn’t mean I can’t hold you all accountable for letting those who harmed me stay in the family. For that, goodbye. I will be making changes in my life and do not want the façade of a family you are to be in my future.”

The plea agreement indicates the government does not intend to contest Stillwagon's request and is recommending the 10-year sentence, followed by 20 years of supervised probation.

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Stillwagon was arrested in March 2021 in a case that originated in Utah, according to the probable cause affidavit. Investigators there traced child pornography to an IP address belonging to Stillwagon.

A subsequent search warrant of Stillwagon's phone turned up more than 2,000 images and 24 videos of child pornography, some involving children "as young as infants involved in sexually explicit activity."

Sentencing is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. June 14 in U. S. District Court in Springfield.