Michael Olson, a 56-year-old former Manhattan financier, was sentenced to 16 years in prison with a 15-year post-release supervision period for his predatory crimes against underage girls. Olson’s disturbing actions came to light after a 14-year-old girl he had been exploiting overdosed in a Manhattan hotel room. The subsequent investigation uncovered a pattern of abuse involving multiple victims, revealing the depths of Olson’s depravity and his calculated efforts to avoid accountability. His journals, discovered after his initial arrest, exposed a chilling plan to continue his predatory behavior, even contemplating taking his 14-year-old victim to Mexico, believing child marriage laws there would offer him a shield from prosecution.
Olson’s journals, which he titled “Life Goals,” outlined a series of disturbing strategies to evade capture and continue exploiting young girls. These included obtaining fake IDs for his victims to conceal their underage status and disposing of incriminating evidence like sex toys before they could be discovered by law enforcement. The journals also revealed his intent to seek out additional underage victims, demonstrating a persistent and predatory mindset. These chilling revelations underscored the severity of Olson’s crimes and the danger he posed to vulnerable young people. The discovery of these journals led to additional charges against Olson for continuing to contact underage girls online while out on bail, further solidifying the prosecution’s case and highlighting his unwavering commitment to his predatory pursuits.
Olson’s initial arrest stemmed from the overdose of a 14-year-old girl in a Manhattan hotel room in May 2023. Emergency responders found the girl surrounded by various drugs, including ketamine, cocaine, and Xanax. The subsequent investigation revealed that Olson had been grooming and exploiting the girl for months, meeting her through social media and engaging in a pattern of sexual abuse and drug provision. Olson, who worked for Dwight Mortgage Trust before his arrest, used his financial resources to facilitate his crimes, taking the girl to various locations, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Miami, falsely presenting her as his daughter to avoid suspicion.
The prosecution presented a compelling case against Olson, detailing the extent of his predatory behavior and the impact it had on his victims. The 14-year-old victim, in a poignant impact statement read aloud in court, expressed her longing for peace and the profound sense of loss she experienced due to Olson’s actions. She described how he had robbed her of experiences and opportunities that she could never reclaim. The prosecution emphasized the devastating consequences of Olson’s crimes on the victims and their families, highlighting the trauma and emotional distress they endured. They argued for the maximum sentence and post-release supervision, emphasizing the ongoing threat Olson posed to society.
Olson’s defense attorney argued for a lesser sentence, citing Olson’s age and the belief that a five-year post-release supervision would be sufficient. However, Justice Ann Scherzer, presiding over the case, sided with the prosecution, imposing the maximum 15-year post-release supervision. Justice Scherzer expressed her distrust of Olson and her strong responsibility to protect the community, stating the need for continuous monitoring to ensure his future compliance with the law. This decision reflected the gravity of Olson’s crimes and the court’s commitment to safeguarding potential future victims.
The sentencing hearing also revealed Olson’s manipulative attempts to manipulate the legal system. Letters he wrote from jail to his family detailed his plan to feign mental illness to secure a lighter sentence at a treatment facility. He cautioned against “behaving too normally” to avoid being returned to Rikers Island, showcasing his calculated efforts to game the system and minimize the consequences of his actions. Olson ultimately pleaded guilty to nine of the 76 counts against him, including rape, criminal sale of a controlled substance, and aggravated patronizing of a minor for prostitution, as part of a plea deal that reduced his potential sentence from 25 years. Olson declined to speak during the sentencing, leaving the courtroom with his attorney, who acknowledged the severity of the sentence while emphasizing the seriousness of the crimes committed. The case highlights the devastating impact of online predation and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
