I can’t get a hold of the person that sold me this iPod. What do I do?

Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be turned off:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support

As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, or unless you can secure the cooperation of the previous owner, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. Without documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple won’t assist - and nobody here will be able to help you.

Sorry - but you’re short of options.

Recycle it. If it is Activation Locked and you can't reach whoever you got it from, it's 100% useless. Apple won't help you and we can't help you. The ONLY person who can bypass Activation Lock is the person who put the lock on the device. Since you clearly don't know them or can't reach them, there is nothing you can do with the iPad.

See this link about used devices --> The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community