United States v. Jayden Debevec

── United States v. Jayden Debevec ── Court: Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Date: June 02, 2026 Category: General United States Court of Appeals For the Eighth Circuit ___________________________ No. 25-1843 ___________________________ United States of America Plaintiff - Appellee v. Jayden Debevec Defendant - Appellant ____________ Appeal from United States District Court for the District of South Dakota - Southern ____________ Submitted: February 12, 2026 Filed: June 2, 2026 ____________ Before COLLOTON, Chief Judge, BENTON and KELLY, Circuit Judges. ____________ BENTON, Circuit Judge. A jury convicted Jayden M. Debevec for attempted enticement of a minor using the internet, in violation of 18 U.S.C § 2422(b). The district court 1 sentenced him to 120 months in prison. On appeal, he argues the denial of his motion for a judgment of acquittal requires reversal or, alternatively, that the admission of Rule 1 The Honorable Eric C. Schulte, United States District Judge for the District of South Dakota. 404(b) evidence warrants a new trial. Having jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 1291, this court affirms. I. MeetMe, an adult-only dating application, relies solely on self-verified age. Aware that children are targeted there, Richie Berger with the Department of Homeland Security posted an undercover profile in March 2023. It showed an 18- year-old female, “Zoee,” and two photos of an age-regressed officer in a sports bra. On March 4, Debevec messaged Zoee “Hello.” He asked if she was 18. She replied she was 15, adding “Promise not to boot me off.” Debevec said “Lol2 I promise.” He asked if she was “more interested” in older men, noting he needed to be careful about what he said. Zoee said that she was not attracted to boys her age and that her parents treated her like an adult. Debevec told Zoee he lived in an RV and that it was quiet on his side of town. Zoee asked whether his RV got cold “By your lonesome.” He replied not cold but lonely. She said he was “too nice and cute to be lonely.” Debevec complimented her appearance, asking what she liked to do for fun. She told him to use his imagination. Debevec asked to see Zoee the next day, stating what they did would be up to her. She said she was “tingling” and asked if he was “using that imagination.” He asked if she was turned on. She answered “Maybe” and “Are you?” Debevec replied he did not get turned on by texting and would rather see her in person. Zoee asked Debevec for his number. He gave it. She texted him. He said “Can I see more pics of you?” Zoee replied she needed to be careful because she 2 Explained at trial as “laugh out loud.” -2- was 15. She sent a picture of a fully clothed teenager. He thanked her “for sending a clean pic.” Debevec suggested taking Zoee to his office, adding “It would be just us.” She said that made her “tingly.” He said: “Maybe show me how mature you actually are.” Zoee asked: “Is there anything or any way you want me to be.” He replied that she could dress as she liked, though “less is always better.” Zoee said she wanted to avoid surprises and did not want to waste her time. Debevec texted that whether things became “dirty” depended on how things went. She asked what would happen if things went well, adding he was “probably way more experienced.” He said he would “let nature take its course,” was “good with my tongue,” and “I like to kiss and use it for ot