Virginia Man Charged in Child Sex Exploitation Case

A 49-year-old Virginia man has been charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child in a case that spans over a decade, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. Erich Zeeb, of Roanoke, Virginia, faces up to 30 years in prison for each count, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years.

The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Zeeb “employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced” a 15-year-old to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of that conduct in Marquette County in July 2012.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement, “We’re prepared to make our case as part of our ongoing mission to protect children and teenagers from sexual exploitation. As part of our work to ensure justice and protect victims, I strongly encourage anyone with information about this matter or related criminal acts committed by Erich Zeeb to contact our office.”

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey added, “Protecting children from crimes of exploitation is a top priority for HSI in Michigan, around the country, and across the world. I encourage anyone with information to reach out to law enforcement.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI are continuing to investigate Zeeb, who previously lived in Houston, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Anyone with information about conduct involving Zeeb should contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, Marquette Branch Office, at 906-226-2500.

Zeeb may have communicated with victims and others using various email addresses, including ewzeeb@gmail.com, ezeebs@gmail.com, and erichzeeb@yahoo.com. He may also have used social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, as well as dating apps such as WhosHere, Plenty of Fish, and Tinder.

The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to come forward.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI are committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation and bringing perpetrators to justice. If you or someone you know has information about this case or any other similar crimes, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office or local law enforcement immediately.

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