Sentencing for “Predator Sting” Case Postponed Again

The sentencing of a defendant in a court case resulting from an amateur “predator sting” has been postponed once again. Sentencing has been continued on multiple occasions.Donald D. Boomgaarn Jr., age 25, of Fairbury, appeared for sentencing in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, March 5, 2026. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.Boomgaarn was originally charged with attempted child enticement, a class 2 felony punishable by one to 50 years in prison. The ArrestOn October 16, 2024, the Jefferson County Dispatch received a call from a Houston-based vigilante organization called Predator Poachers Southeast Texas that conducts sting operations on adults who seek sexual activities with minors, advising that they had conducted such a sting operation in the Fairbury City Park and had an individual that they met there that they claimed was seeking to meet with a minor.All evidence that the organization had was turned over to the sheriff’s office, which initiated their own investigation into the matter. Legal ComplicationAccording to Nebraska law, in order to be found guilty of child enticement, the person being “enticed” must be either 16 years of age or younger, or it must be a peace officer (law enforcement officer with arrest authority).According to County Attorney Joseph Casson, that is why the charge was filed as attempted child enticement. If a trial were to go forward, the matter could prove to be a test case for Nebraska.Predator Poachers has conducted multiple stings in Nebraska but none of the related convictions have actually been for child enticement. Instead, in those cases, law enforcement conducted their own investigations and uncovered child pornography.That is not the case with Donald Boombaarn, who has not been accused of possessing such prohibited materials.FJN spoke with Alex Rosen, one of the individuals from Predator Poachers, who said he has testified in prior trials and was prepared to do so in this case as well. Depositions with witnesses in Texas have been conducted via video. Plea DealA plea deal reduced the charge to attempt of a class 4 felony, which is a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000.However, before that plea deal could move forward, the defendant was required participate in what his attorney, Benjamin Murray, called a “specialized psycho-sexual evaluation.” The pending evaluation resulted in multiple continuances. The evaluation has now been completed and reviewed by the court.Reason for PostponementMurray noted that his client has no criminal history. He also pointed out that the YouTube video showing the sting and Boomgaarn’s arrest has received over six million views. According to Murray, his client will never be able to escape the cloud of this case, “Google his name and this is the first thing that comes up.”When asked if he wanted to address the court, Boomgaarn said, “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”While there was no actual victim in this case, Judge Bargen noted, “It could have been much more serious.”“I was not intending to give you probation,” said the judge, which decided he needed more time to determine an appropriate sentence. “I normally don’t do this in these kinds of cases.”Sentencing was then continued until April 2, 2026.The defendant remains free on a $25,000 (10 percent) bond.

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