Virginia man charged with sexual exploitation of a child in Marquette County

MARQUETTE, Mich. – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a grand jury has charged Erich Zeeb, 49, of Roanoke, Virginia, with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child. Each count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years.

“We’re prepared to make our case as part of our ongoing mission to protect children and teenagers from sexual exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “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.”

The indictment, which was unsealed today, alleges that on multiple occasions, 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. The indictment further alleges that the conduct occurred in Marquette County in July 2012.

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

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations are continuing to investigate Zeeb. 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 previously lived in Houston, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Zeeb may have communicated using the following email addresses: