Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Exploiting Oshkosh Minor

Zachary J. Vogt traveled from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin to sexually abuse a child after being warned to stop the online interactions.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A 20-year-old Pennsylvania man named Zachary J. Vogt has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a minor in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Vogt began communicating with the underage victim online in October 2024, and despite being warned by the child's parents to stop the inappropriate interactions, he traveled from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin in June 2025 to sexually abuse the child and record the abuse on his cellphone. Authorities recovered the images and arrested Vogt, who will now serve 15 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release and mandatory sex offender registration.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious threat that online predators pose to children, as well as the importance of swift law enforcement action to protect vulnerable minors from exploitation. It also underscores the need for continued vigilance by parents and communities to monitor children's online activities and report any suspicious behavior.

The details

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Vogt began communicating with the underage victim from Oshkosh in October 2024, and the exchanges quickly became sexual in nature. After the child's parents discovered the online activity and warned both Vogt and the minor that the interaction must stop, Vogt ignored the warning and traveled from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin in June 2025 to sexually abuse the child and record the abuse on his cellphone. Authorities recovered the images from Vogt's phone and arrested him.

  • In October 2024, Vogt began communicating with the underage victim from Oshkosh.
  • In June 2025, Vogt traveled from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin to sexually abuse the child.
  • Vogt was arrested after authorities recovered images of the abuse from his cellphone.

The players

Zachary J. Vogt

A 20-year-old man from West Chester, Pennsylvania who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a minor in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin

The federal prosecutor's office that handled the case against Vogt and announced his 15-year prison sentence.

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What’s next

After serving his 15-year prison sentence, Vogt will spend the following 15 years on supervised release and will also be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement, parents, and communities to identify and stop online predators who seek to exploit vulnerable children. It also underscores the severe consequences that await those who choose to engage in such heinous crimes.