A 51-year-old Omaha man will spend nearly 20 years in federal prison after being convicted of attempted enticement of a minor for the purpose of sexual relations.
A U.S. District Court judge in Omaha sentenced Wesley T. Vavra to 19 years and seven months in prison on Tuesday. There is no parole in the federal system.
Vavra was found guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. In the summer of 2022, Vavra communicated with someone on the Whisper social media app advertising “open family play-dates.” He arranged for a meeting on July 18 to engage in sexual acts.
Vavra thought he was communicating with a man who had an 8-year-old child, but the person was an undercover officer. He was arrested at the meeting location.
A search of Vavra’s phone found that he was also in contact with another law enforcement officer, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.
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This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Douglas County’s Sheriff’s Office.
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Top Journal Star photos for November 2023
Lincoln comedians Juli Burney and T. Marni Vos performed at the Lied Center over 27 years ago, they are reuniting for the Witty, Women and Wine charity event for the YWCA on Dec. 5, 2023, in Lincoln.
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Norfolk Catholic’s Clayton Carney (1) intercepts a pass that was mishandled by Ord’s Trent McCain (32) in the second quarter during the Class C-2 state championship at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Haley Peterson (2) and UC Irvine’s Emilie Castagna (28) collide while battling for control of the ball in the second half during an NCAA third-round match at Hibner Stadium, on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023.
Nebraska’s Abbey Schwarz (6) celebrates teammate Eleanor Dale (9) after scoring the first goal of the first half against UC Irvine during an NCAA third-round match at Hibner Stadium, on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023.
Members of the All-State Chorus perform during their finale concert on Saturday at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
Jesse and Samantha Beeck from Lincoln alongside their 4-year-old son, James, admire a detailed custom LEGO model of the Nebraska Capitol on display at the Brick Days Fan Expo on Saturday at the Lancaster Event Center.
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Parkview Christian senior Sienna Ulrich (left) serves her father Brad Ulrich during the school’s annual Thanksgiving lunch on Friday. Seniors help cook and serve the lunch as part of a class fundraiser.
Ben Welch stands next to his 1994 Chevy Suburban, which has racked up over 1 million miles, at Superior Automotive on Thursday in Lincoln.
Nebraska’s Rienk Mast makes an offensive rebound against Stony Brook in the first half Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Marley Anthens (center) and senior Anna Metzger (right) join their classmates in singing Jingle Bells during a musical rehearsal of, “Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!” at Lincoln North Star High School, on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Lincoln. North Star is currently the only high School in Lincoln with a Unified Theater class. Students pair up with their unified classmates and walk them through the rehearsal, encouraging them all along the way.
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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule watches Maryland’s Jeshaun Jones drop a pass during the second half on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Wahoo’s Avery Wieting gestures to the crowd as he celebrates the victory over Sidney during a Class C-1 state semifinal on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in Wahoo.
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Yang Ran performs a Chinese traditional umbrella dance during Maxey Heritage Night at Maxey Elementary School on Thursday.
Roper Elementary School PTO president Jessie James pushes a hydroponics tower, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at Roper Elementary School.
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Nebraska’s Josiah Allick (53) dunks against Lindenwood on Monday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
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