Peshtigo man sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexual exploitation of minor

A Peshtigo man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his crimes involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. Zachary A. Zastawniak, 24, faced Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, who handed down the sentence on Sept. 20. The case was a stark reminder of the dangers lurking on social media platforms, where Zastawniak used coercive tactics to victimize minors, the United States Attorney’s Office said.

During the proceedings, court records revealed that Zastawniak had pleaded guilty to knowingly persuading a minor to send sexually explicit videos. The defendant interacted with numerous victims throughout Oconto County and Northeast Wisconsin during his criminal activities, manipulating and exploiting their vulnerability through various social media applications. “Terribly aggravated” were the words Judge Griesbach used to describe the case, citing Zastawniak’s “malicious decisions” and “monstrous behavior” as particularly heinous. The victims, who showed immense courage by cooperating with law enforcement, thereby put an end to the defendant’s crime spree and were commended by the court, as stated by the United States Attorney’s Office.

The consequences of Zastawniak’s actions extend beyond his quarter-century in prison. After his release, he will be required to serve 25 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender under state and federal law. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this case is part of a collaborative effort under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together to bring Zastawniak to justice, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigations, and police departments in Oconto County and North Fond du Lac, among others. The prosecution was led by Assistant District Attorney Daniel R. Humble. For more information about efforts to curb child exploitation, the public can visit the Project Safe Childhood website. As a community, the sentencing serves as a stark reminder to remain vigilant against those who seek to harm innocent people, hidden behind digital screens.