Skip to main content
Press Release

Harrison Man Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison for Sexual Offenses Against Minors

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan

BAY CITY – A Harrison man was sentenced to 480 months (40 years) in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to charges of sexual exploitation of children and for engaging in the sexual exploitation of children while required to register as a sex offender, announced United States Attorney Dawn Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Josh P. Hauxhurst, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.

Sentenced before United States District Court Judge Thomas L. Ludington was Nathanial Alexander Tessner, 29. 

According to court records, Tessner met the 14-year-old victim online and caused her to create sexually explicit images as well as meeting her in person and having sexual contact with her. Tessner also caused the victim to create sexually explicit images of herself with a dog and coerced her to create sexually explicit images of a 3-year-old child.   Tessner committed those offenses while he was required to register as a sex offender under federal or other law.

“The actions of this defendant are truly reprehensible,” said US Attorney Ison.  “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that we will prosecute individuals who prey on our most vulnerable – our children- to the maximum extent allowed by law. “

“This case demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to protect the children in our communities from recidivist sex offenders like Mr. Tessner,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Josh P. Hauxhurst of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “These are serious crimes that inflict great harm on some of the most vulnerable members of our society and the serious consequences imposed on this defendant are an important signal to would-be offenders that they will be found and brought to justice.”

The case was investigated by the Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes Task Force (“SEMTEC”) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Rawsthorne.

Updated January 20, 2022

Topic
Project Safe Childhood