Peshtigo man sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, abused numerous minors in Wisconsin

PESHTIGO, Wis. (WFRV) – A 24-year-old Marinette County man has been sentenced to federal prison for allegedly abusing multiple minors in northeastern Wisconsin.

A September 20 press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin reports that Peshtigo resident Zachary Zastawniak has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for several charges of child sexual exploitation.

Zastawniak, who recently pleaded guilty to knowingly persuading a minor to send him a sexually explicit video, admitted during the hearing that he abused numerous minors in Oconto County and northeastern Wisconsin by using “coercive techniques” to force them to perform sexual acts.

According to authorities, Zastawniak used various social media platforms and apps during the multiple incidents.

Zastawniak was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach, who described the case during the hearing as “horribly aggravated” and stated that Zastawniak had engaged in “monstrous behavior” and made “bad decisions.”

Judge Griesbach also emphasized the courage and bravery of the victims, many of whom spoke during the sentencing.

After serving his 25-year prison sentence, Zastawniak must also serve an additional 25 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender.

The case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigations, the North Fond du Lac Police Department, the Oconto Falls Police Department, the Oconto Police Department, the Oconto County Sheriff’s Office and the Kingsford, Michigan, Department of Public Safety.

It was also part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

No further details were provided.