A Hammond court has sentenced a 32-year-old man from Wisconsin to 235 months in prison for attempting to sex traffic a 10-year-old girl, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Denton Jerome, of Doylestown, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, following an undercover operation targeting customers of child sex tourism. According to documents in the case, Jerome drove from Wisconsin to a hotel in Munster, Indiana, on April 18, 2017, with the intent to engage in commercial sex acts with the young victim.
Jurors were told that Jerome had recently been convicted for attempted child enticement in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and was on probation at the time of the instant offense. This conviction, also the result of an undercover sting operation, saw Jerome sentenced to three months imprisonment.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abizer Zanzi. U.S. Attorney Kirsch stated that crimes committed against innocent children are particularly egregious and that others who commit these offenses should be warned by this sentence.
“Crimes like these have a grave impact on our children,” said James M. Gibbons, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Chicago. “Mr. Jerome’s lengthy prison sentence is a harsh reminder that law enforcement and the courts will not tolerate those who steal the innocence of the children and of our communities.”
The lengthy prison sentence imposed upon Denton Jerome serves as a stark reminder that law enforcement and the courts will not tolerate those who seek to exploit and harm innocent children. This sentence is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who work tirelessly to bring these offenders to justice.
As the investigation revealed, Jerome’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of our communities. His sentence sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated and that those who engage in it will face severe consequences.
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- Wisconsin Sex Offender Convicted of Child Exploitation, Faces 35 Years to Life · Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years for Grooming, Abusing 12-Year-Old · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking|Violent Crime|Crime in Indiana
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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