A jury in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has found Jayden Debevec guilty of attempted enticement of a minor using the internet. The conviction came after a three-day trial in federal district court, with the verdict delivered on January 10, 2025.

Debevec, 29, now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could potentially receive life imprisonment. Additionally, he may be fined up to $250,000. Upon release from prison, Debevec will be subject to supervised release for at least five years and possibly for life. He is also required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The case against Debevec began when he engaged in an online conversation with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. This interaction turned sexual, and Debevec requested a meeting with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. However, the person he was communicating with was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Debevec was arrested upon arriving at the agreed location.

This prosecution is part of an undercover operation aimed at identifying individuals interested in sexual activities with minors. It also falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. This program combines efforts from federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.

The investigation involved multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Police Department, Watertown Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth E. Ebert-Webb and Beau Blouin led the prosecution.

A presentence investigation has been ordered for Debevec; however, his sentencing date remains unscheduled as he awaits proceedings while under custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.