Norman County father and son charged with sex crimes

A Norman County father and son are facing multiple felony charges for allegedly sexually abusing a minor who was placed under their care. 56 year old Juan Carlos Garza of Twin Valley is charged with felony 3rd degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, and his son 22 year old Michael James Dion Stodola of Moorhead, is charged with Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, and two charges of 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. 

Court documents allege that between March 2022 and January 2023 Stodola was sexually abusing a 14 year old girl who was under Garza’s care. It is also alleged that when the victim disclosed this to Garza he told her to “not make a big deal out of it”, and he also threatened to remove her from Garza’s home. 

In total the victim estimates that Stodola had intercourse with her nearly thirty times when she was 14 and 15 years old, predominantly while the victim was in foster care at Garza’s home. Garza is also accused of giving the victim cocaine, and alcohol.  

On top of the 3rd degree Criminal Sexual Conduct charge, Garza is also facing charges of Neglect or Endangerment of Child, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child or Status as a Petty Offender, and Disorderly House-Own or Operate. Stodola is also charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child or Status as a Petty Offender. 

Garza’s first court appearance is on Wednesday, March 12 at 9:00 AM. An active warrant has been issued for Stodola.