Former Longview Police Department Lieutenant Seth Estes Vanover Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Online Solicitation of a Minor

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Former Longview Police Department lieutenant, Seth Estes Vanover, has been sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison for attempting to solicit sex from an 11-year-old girl using online messaging apps. The sentence was handed down by a judge in Jacksonville, Florida, after Vanover pleaded guilty in August, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

In addition to the prison term, Vanover has been ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and forfeit four iPhone devices, as stated by the DOJ. These penalties are part of the effort to ensure the safety and protection of potential victims.

The case against Vanover unfolded when court documents obtained by the Longview News-Journal revealed that a man, later identified as Vanover, engaged in conversations with two undercover FBI agents via social media. These conversations exposed Vanover’s intentions of engaging in sexual activities with a 9-year-old and an 11-year-old girl. Notably, the messaging app was accessed through devices registered to the city of Longview.

Vanover’s guilt was established in a plea agreement, where he admitted to using cell phones and internet devices to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce an 11-year-old girl into sexual activities. The evidence presented included a conversation from July 2022, where a different FBI agent interacted with an account named “jattleson.” This account expressed interest in meeting the agent’s girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter. During the conversation, “jattleson” claimed to be 44 years old and even sent a nude image of a man standing in front of a bathroom mirror.

Further investigation revealed that the contact associated with the “jattleson” account was Seth Vanover, and the subscriber was the city of Longview, according to the complaint filed. Vanover’s arrest took place on October 12, 2022, at the Longview Police Department, where he also resigned from his position on the same day. During the arrest, officers discovered disturbing evidence on Vanover’s cell phone, including 234 videos and 133 photos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants, toddlers, and other young children, according to the Department of Justice.

Authorities also uncovered sexually explicit online communications between Vanover and other app users. Additionally, they found child sexual abuse videos and photos that Vanover had requested and received during these conversations. This evidence further solidified the case against Vanover and highlighted the severity of his crimes.

The sentencing of Seth Estes Vanover serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting minors from online predators. Law enforcement agencies and the DOJ are committed to identifying and prosecuting individuals who engage in such heinous activities. The stringent penalties imposed on Vanover, including a lengthy prison term, supervised release, and registration as a sex offender, reflect the gravity of his actions and the determination to safeguard vulnerable members of society.

In conclusion, the sentencing of former Longview Police Department lieutenant Seth Estes Vanover to nearly 13 years in prison for attempting to solicit sex from an 11-year-old girl sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing need to prioritize the safety and protection of children in the digital age..