GRAND FORKS — After a five day trial, a jury on Friday found a Grand Forks man guilty of gross sexual imposition.
Ja’Haun Kardelle Stafford, 41, has been convicted of Class AA felony gross sexual imposition, Class C felony child abuse, Class C felony felonious restraint and Class A misdemeanor wearing masks during commission of a criminal offense.
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His sentencing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Jan. 6. Class AA felony gross sexual imposition carries a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and maximum of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
At 9:15 a.m. Feb. 20, 2024, Juvenile Jane Doe, said she woke up to a man, who she identified as Stafford, on top of her. She said he covered her mouth and touched her inappropriately. She clawed and scratched at him and eventually he ran out of the bedroom.
Stafford later told police he was acting out a scenario where he was pretending to be a burglar. According to court documents, he denied intentionally touching her inappropriately but said it could have happened during the incident.
On Nov. 13, 2025, Stafford entered Alford pleas, meaning he maintained his innocence but knew the prosecution had enough evidence to convi...