First-Time Offender Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Coercion of a Minor

Tampa, Florida - Jonathan Edward Veselka (45, Arizona) was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John L. Badalamenti to 27 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, attempted transportation of a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity, and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. Veselka pleaded guilty on June 22, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, for approximately three weeks, Veselka communicated with an undercover officer, believing it was a 14-year-old girl. Veselka sent the undercover officer sexual photos and videos of himself, asked the undercover explicit sexual questions, and detailed the sexual activity he wished to engage in with the individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Veselka arranged for the purported 14-year-old girl to travel to Las Vegas to engage in sexual activity with him. Veselka had never been arrested prior to this criminal offense.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Courtney Derry.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.