Richard G. Frohling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 5, 2022, John E. Fredenburgh (age: 37) of the Village of Suring, in Oconto County, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison by Senior District Judge William C. Griesbach.
In November of 2021, Fredenburgh pled guilty to “Transportation of a Minor with the Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity” and “Child Enticement.” The facts adduced at the sentencing hearing demonstrated that Fredenburgh sexually abused a Suring minor beginning when she was 12 years old. The abuse continued for another five and a half years. In February of 2021, the victim came forward and reported the abuse to Oconto authorities. In addition to the repeated sexual abuse, Fredenburgh supplied the minor with alcohol and illegal drugs. He also committed acts of violence against her.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Griesbach noted the horrendous nature of the crimes and the need to deter Fredenburgh from engaging in further abuse. He stated his belief that a 25-year prison sentence was lengthy enough to protect the community while at the same time providing a measure of justice for the victim. Upon the completion of his federal prison sentence, the defendant will serve the remainder of his life on supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Oconto County Sheriff’s Office, the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office, the Menominee, Michigan Sheriff’s Office, the Menominee (Michigan) Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
