Clifton Forge Police Department Announces Conviction and Sentencing in Child Exploitation Case
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Clifton Forge, VA (Sept. 25, 2026) - The following is a news release from the Clifton Forge Police Department:
"On September 1, 2026, Zade Meleke Todman was convicted of fifteen counts of violating Virginia Code § 18.2-374.1:1, involving the possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography. Fourteen of the convictions were classified as second or subsequent violations.
In April 2026, the Clifton Forge Police Department received information alleging that Todman was engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female. Following an investigation by the Clifton Forge Police Department, charges were brought that ultimately resulted in the convictions.
Todman was sentenced to a total of 82 years of incarceration with the Virginia Department of Corrections. The sentence included 12 years for the initial violation and five years for each of the fourteen subsequent violations. The court suspended five years of each of the sentences imposed for the subsequent violations.
Upon release after his 12-year sentence, Todman will be subject to court-ordered conditions and probation. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and is prohibited, pursuant to the court's orders, from having unsupervised contact with minors, maintaining social media accounts, or accessing the internet.
Investigator V. L. Bowman served as the lead investigator in this case."
Barry S. Balser
Chief of Police
CLIFTON FORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Barry S. Balser, Chief of Police
601 Main Street
Clifton Forge, VA 24422
(540) 863-2513| Fax (540) 863-2537
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