ORLANDO, Florida — Justin Vancott-Harnish, a 29-year-old from St. Cloud, has been federally indicted for trafficking a minor, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
The indictment alleges that between February 28 and March 28, 2025, at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Vancott-Harnish solicited a minor to engage in a commercial sex act, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years to life in federal prison.
The case was investigated by the U.S. National Science Foundation – Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the St. Cloud Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson for the Middle District of Florida and Department of Justice Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section…