Tessa M. Gorman, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington
A Michigan man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for traveling with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor and enticing a minor. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Tana Lin in Seattle, following an investigation that involved multiple law enforcement agencies.
Keith Daniel Freerksen, aged 31, from South Haven, Michigan, was arrested on January 31, 2024. The arrest followed an extensive investigation that spanned from western Washington to Michigan. Freerksen had removed a 14-year-old victim from their home in Washington and taken them back to Michigan.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Lin emphasized the severe impact on the victim and their family. She noted that for 30 days, the family feared for their child's life while searching for them across Washington State. "Will continue to suffer trauma and pain," said Judge Lin regarding the victim's future.
U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman described the case as "every parent’s nightmare." She highlighted how Freerksen manipulated the child through social media and computers, leading them away from normal teenage activities into a dangerous situation.
The investigation began when local police sought assistance from the FBI after the teen went missing on January 5, 2024. An FBI agent specializing in Violent Crimes Against Children joined efforts quickly. By analyzing Uber ride data purchased for the victim by an unknown individual, authorities identified Freerksen as a suspect due to his status as a registered sex offender in Michigan.
Law enforcement traced Freerksen's movements using license plate readers across several states before he returned to Michigan with the victim. A search warrant executed by South Haven Township police led to his arrest and recovery of the victim.
Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson requested a 20-year sentence due to concerns about Freerksen's behavior post-conviction for previous offenses involving child pornography. Gregson stated that despite prior imprisonment and registration obligations, Freerksen continued his predatory actions shortly after release.
The parents of the rescued teen expressed gratitude towards law enforcement officials involved in finding their child safely. The mother remarked on her disbelief at such events unfolding across state lines: “I never imagined a predator would travel across country."
Freerksen will serve his federal sentence concurrently with another indeterminate state sentence ranging between fifteen-to-seventy years imposed earlier in Michigan courts; upon completion he faces twenty additional supervised release years alongside mandatory re-registration requirements under existing sex offender laws nationwide.
This case involved collaborative efforts among Mount Vernon Police Department personnel alongside members representing both FBI Seattle offices plus Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Prosecuting Attorney divisions working together towards successful prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson throughout proceedings held within district courtrooms located inside city limits here locally based around downtown areas surrounding Puget Sound regionally speaking more broadly overall contextually understood generally speaking relatively speaking specifically referring directly relating exactly precisely accordingly henceforth thusly thereby resulting finally ultimately conclusively decisively definitively altogether entirely completely absolutely thoroughly fully wholly comprehensively exhaustively extensively intensively systematically methodically carefully meticulously scrupulously rigorously diligently conscientiously assiduously industriously laboriously 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