Zachary A. Zastawniak, Sexual Exploitation of Minors, Wisconsin 2024

A Peshtigo man has been charged with sexually exploiting minors in a federal indictment announced by United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Zachary A. Zastawniak (age: 23) of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, was charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor on January 23, 2024.

According to the indictment, on or about July 7, 2023, and again on August 23, 2023, Zastawniak knowingly employed, used, persuaded, induced, and coerced two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the victims engaged in the lascivious exhibition of their genitals. The indictment alleges that Zastawniak violated Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a) and 2251(e).

Zastawniak faces a mandatory 15 years' imprisonment and up to 30 years' imprisonment if convicted of either count. He may also be fined up to $250,000 on each count. This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, the North Fond du Lac Police Department, Oconto Falls Police Department, Oconto Police Department, Oconto County Sheriff's Office, and the Kingsford, Michigan, Department of Public Safety.

Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble will prosecute the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Zastawniak's current status and any upcoming court dates have not been announced. The case is ongoing, and further information will be released as it becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/peshtigo-man-charged-sexual-exploitation-minors