Ja’Haun Stafford Set for November Trial in Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – A Grand Forks man facing several criminal charges, including Class AA felony gross sexual imposition, is scheduled to stand trial in November after a judge allowed him to withdraw his previous guilty pleas.

Ja’Haun Kardelle Stafford, 40, is scheduled for trial November 2–6, 2026, in a case involving allegations dating back to February 2024.

Stafford faces four charges, including gross sexual imposition, child abuse, felonious restraint, and wearing a mask during the commission of a criminal offense.

Sexual Assault Allegations Date Back to 2024

According to court documents described in the report, Grand Forks police responded to a sexual assault in progress at approximately 9:15 a.m. on February 20, 2024.

The alleged victim, identified in court documents as Juvenile Jane Doe, told investigators she woke up to Stafford on top of her.

She alleged that Stafford covered her mouth and touched her inappropriately. According to the court documents, she scratched at him while attempting to resist, and he eventually left the bedroom.

Stafford reportedly told investigators that he was acting out a scenario in which he pretended to be a burglar.

He denied intentionally touching the alleged victim inappropriately but acknowledged that contact could have occurred during the incident, according to the report.

Previous Alford Pleas Withdrawn

On November 13, 2025, Stafford entered Alford pleas in connection with the case.

An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to potentially secure a conviction.

However, the case took another turn after the alleged victim submitted a letter to prosecutors on February 13, recanting portions of her earlier statements.

In the letter, she reportedly stated that Stafford had acted out the scenario but had not touched her inappropriately. She also said she had exaggerated earlier allegations of misconduct.

Prosecutors challenged aspects of that recantation, stating in a court filing that Stafford had previously acknowledged certain conduct to law enforcement.

The prosecution also referenced earlier concerns expressed by the alleged victim about possible attempts to influence or bribe her regarding her statements.

Judge Grants Request to Withdraw Pleas

On April 17, shortly before Stafford’s scheduled sentencing, defense attorneys filed a motion seeking permission to withdraw the Alford pleas.

Judge Jay Knudson granted that request on July 16, allowing the case to proceed toward trial.

The withdrawal means the previous pleas no longer resolve the criminal charges. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings.

Evidence Hearing Ahead of November Trial

Stafford is scheduled for a hearing Thursday, October 22, concerning what evidence may be presented to jurors.

Defense attorneys have asked the court to exclude evidence of Stafford’s previous pleas.

Prosecutors indicated they do not intend to mention the pleas at trial but opposed the defense motion as overly broad.

The case is scheduled for a jury trial November 2–6.

Serious Felony Charges Remain Pending

The most serious allegation, Class AA felony gross sexual imposition, carries a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole under North Dakota law.

Stafford also faces Class C felony charges of child abuse and felonious restraint, along with a Class A misdemeanor charge involving wearing a mask during the commission of a criminal offense.

No verdict has been reached on the pending charges.

Stafford is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.