A Virginia man convicted of sexually exploiting a child more than a decade ago has been sentenced in federal court, officials said.
Erich Zeeb, 51, was given 28 years in prison on Wednesday by a federal judge in Grand Rapids, said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey.
“What Zeeb did was depraved and disgusting, and he richly deserved the long sentence he received,” VerHey said in a statement. “This case should remind all parents of the long reach that sex predators have because of the internet. Please do what you can to warn your children about this risk and help them avoid it. My message to others who sexually exploit our children is this — there is a prison cell waiting for you too.”
Zeeb’s attorney, Scott Graham, was not immediately available for comment on Monday.
Prosecutors alleged Zeeb persuaded and coerced a 15-year-old girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct on multiple occasions in July 2012 and to film it and take photos.
He presented himself to the girl and her parents as an Olympian-in-training and someone who could help the victim with her own Olympic aspirations, according to authorities.
Homeland Security Investigations agents said he groomed the victim, gained her parents’ trust, then sexually exploited her on multiple occasions. Zeeb engaged in sexual acts with the girl and filmed them, officials said.
The alleged incidents occurred in Marquette County while Zeeb was visiting under the guise of providing athletic training, according to court documents. He also emailed the videos to others.
Officials said they uncovered other credible accounts about Zeeb doing the same thing to other girls and young women.
The last incident of abuse happened in Florida a week before he was arrested, according to investigators.
Authorities filed the indictment against Zeeb in federal court in May 2024. The indictment, charging him with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child, was later unsealed. Each count is punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison.
In August, Zeeb pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child, according to court records.
“This sentencing reflects Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering resolve to protect our communities and hold those who prey on children fully accountable,” said Jared Murphey, Special Agent in Charge of the agency’s Detroit office. “We will continue to pursue justice and safeguard the most vulnerable among us.”
Zeeb’s case ended weeks after a Sumpter Township man accused of sex trafficking young girls and having sex with at least one of them was charged in federal court.
Also in March, a former Oakland County charter school teacher pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a student after authorities accused her of having sex with a former student she was tutoring.
In February, a former Kent County orthodontist convicted of sexually exploiting children for years was sentenced to 60 years in prison by a federal court judge.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
@CharlesERamirez
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Virginia man sentenced for sexually exploiting Michigan girl
Reporting by Charles E. Ramirez, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
