Federal authorities in Orlando have unsealed a startling indictment against 29-year-old Justin Vancott-Harnish of St. Cloud, charging him with the trafficking of a minor. The announcement, made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, details allegations involving a crime site rarely seen in federal dockets: the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
Court documents state that between February 28 and March 28, 2025, Vancott-Harnish allegedly solicited a minor to engage in a commercial sex act while at the research station.
Because the facility falls under the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, the case is being handled within the American federal court system.
If a jury finds him guilty, Vancott-Harnish faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison, with the potential for a life sentence.
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This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood. Launched by the Department of Justice in 2006, this initiative is designed to pool federal, state, and local resources to track down and prosecute those who exploit children.
As with all federal criminal proceedings, it is important to note that an indictment is only a formal accusation. Vancott-Harnish is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in a court of law.
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