Predator Gets 35 Years for Exploiting Sleeping Children

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, OH – Nicholas J. Veerkamp, a known sex offender, will spend the next 35 years behind bars after a federal jury convicted him of a horrific crime: taking sexually explicit photographs of two young victims, ages 9 and 12, while they were asleep. The sentencing, handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett, marks a significant, though belated, reckoning for a predator with a disturbing pattern of abuse.

The jury heard damning evidence detailing how Veerkamp, in October 2017, exploited a 9-year-old girl, capturing 19 images of unspeakable abuse. The images, presented as evidence, showed the girl exposed while she slept. Just months prior, in August 2017, Veerkamp repeated the act with a 12-year-old victim, creating three similar images. Investigators also discovered a cache of other exploitative material on his electronic devices, revealing the depth of his depravity.

This wasn’t a first offense. Federal prosecutors revealed Veerkamp was previously convicted in 2016 of sexual imposition involving a 13-year-old girl. That conviction mandated he register as a sex offender – a system clearly failed to protect other children. Despite being on the registry, Veerkamp continued his predatory behavior, proving that registration alone isn’t enough to guarantee public safety.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker didn’t mince words, stating this conduct “has no place in our society.” While the statement rings hollow to many after years of systemic failures, the 35-year sentence, coupled with a lifetime of supervised release, represents a harsh penalty. The feds, working with the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children task force, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Regional Electronics Crimes Investigations unit, and the Colerain Township Police, built a solid case against Veerkamp.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle J. Healey skillfully prosecuted the case, presenting the evidence that convinced the jury of Veerkamp’s guilt. The investigation revealed a chilling pattern of abuse, meticulously documented on electronic devices. The sheer volume of images and the vulnerability of the victims underscore the urgent need for continued vigilance and resources dedicated to combating child exploitation.

Veerkamp’s sentencing follows recent cases in other parts of the state – a man in California pleading guilty to similar charges, a woman in Hocking County sentenced for exploiting children, and a Licking County man convicted of abusing young boys. This surge in cases highlights a disturbing trend, and the need for increased awareness and preventative measures. The Southern District of Ohio’s main office, along with its locations in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton, are actively involved in these investigations.

The lifetime of supervised release means Veerkamp will be monitored for the rest of his life, a small measure of security for potential future victims. But the damage is already done. The victims of Veerkamp’s crimes will carry the scars of this abuse forever, a stark reminder of the darkness that exists and the constant fight to protect the most vulnerable among us.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to bring predators like Veerkamp to justice. Anyone with information about child exploitation is urged to contact the FBI or local law enforcement immediately. Silence protects the abuser, not the child.

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