Meet Sheldon A. Stephens, the mystery man who accused Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of engaging in an underage sexual relationship only to recant the allegation a day later.

[READ: Elmo Accuser Recants Story! Can Kevin Clash’s Career Recover From The Allegations?]

Stephens is reportedly a struggling 24-year-old model/actor who posted for the mugshot above a while back after being arrested for robbing a music manager (for whom he interned) of $250,000 by knifepoint.

(It all kinda makes sense now…)

More photos + details below…

The smear campaign started by Stephens triggered a torrent of social media activity and press reports that portrayed Clash, 52, as a predator and most likely ruined his career, since he deals with children on the regular.

While Stephens has not been publicly identified, the Smoking Gun?learned of his identity yesterday and confirmed his role in the Clash matter with two sources, a family member and a friend.

Stephens has been in trouble with the law on several occasions and TSG released the mugshot above, which was taken back in 2009 after Stephens?was arrested on his most serious criminal charge.

According to a criminal complaint, music manager Darian Pollard contacted the Beverly Hills Police Department to report that Stephens–an intern that he had just fired–had robbed him at knifepoint of a $250,000 ?white gold necklace with diamonds? and a ?white gold ring with diamond baguets.?

Pollard, who heads DP Music Entertainment Group, told cops that Stephens had boarded a flight bound for Harrisburg. Beverly Hills police contacted their counterparts in Pennsylvania, and two officers detained Stephens, who ?was wearing the necklace and also the ring? as he exited the plane, reported an investigator, who added, ?He made no attempt to hide either article.? (READ MORE)

They also released several of the accusers former “modeling” shots…

It is unclear how Stephens, who once lived in New York City, met Clash, who resides on Manhattan?s West Side. A friend of Stephens said that he “attracts these high-powered men,” but that the model wannabe was a “God-fearing guy” and “not just a pretty boy.”

Shortly after the retraction, TMZ scrambled to publish a story (citing ?sources close to the situation?) claiming that attorneys for Clash and the accuser were, right then, purportedly ?discussing a financial settlement and 6-figures were on the table.?

At that point, however, Stephens was no longer being represented by Andreozzi & Associates, the Harrisburg law firm, and had no other legal representation. The issuance of the statement was done as a courtesy by Stephens?s former counsel, who noted that, ?He will have no further comment on the matter.?

The acknowledgement that the damaging claim against Clash was not true came as a relief to the producers of ?Sesame Street,? who, as The New York Times notes, ?had been alarmed by seeing the words ?under-age sex? in the same sentence as ?Elmo.??

The recanting, however, came after TMZ had effectively outed Clash as a gay man.?In a statement, the puppeteer noted,

?I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it, but felt it was a personal and private matter.? It is unknown if TMZ, one of the country?s leading practitioners of checkbook journalism, paid Stephens for his story.

According to TSG, Stephens did not respond to their e-mail and Facebook message?requests for a statement but according to his Twitter (which is private), he describes himself as an ?Entrepreneur, Student, Model, Actor.?

His Facebook page?s ?About? blurb notes, ?I like to consider myself a rare breed. I’m very spontaneous and random?I’m determined and goal oriented. My destiny is laid on a solid gold brick pathway……. MY FUTURE IS BRIGHT and never will it dim.?

CLICK HERE to read more about the man who accused the Elmo puppeteer of an inappropriate relationship.

Seems like Clash was the target of a ‘come up’…

Thoughts?

FULL PHOTO GALLERY