51-year-old man posed as Olympian to groom and sexually exploit Michigan girl

MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. – A 51-year-old man from Virginia will spend decades in federal prison for sexually exploiting an Upper Peninsula girl.

According to authorities, Erich Zeeb met the 15-year-old Marquette County girl online and presented himself as an Olympian-in-training to the victim and her parents. He reportedly convinced them that he could help the girl achieve her Olympic dreams before grooming and sexually exploiting her multiple times.

Authorities said Zeeb gained her parents’ trust and used that access to coerce the teen into creating sexually explicit content.

On Thursday, April 2, Zeeb was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child.

Investigators believe there may be other victims. Police said they believe other girls were abused by Zeeb in a similar manner and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.