Ex-Middlesex Co. Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced In Child Porn Case: Feds

EATONTOWN, NJ - An ex-Middlesex County sheriff’s deputy was sentenced this week to 15 years in prison after being convicted of multiple federal child exploitation offenses, officials said.

Joshua Padilla, 37, of Eatontown, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, as well as 10 years of supervised release on Friday, United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero said. In addition, Padilla is set to pay $15,300 in special assessments as part of the sentencing.

Padilla was initially charged with the federal offenses in July 2019; he was charged with related state felonies in February 2019 by the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General, Romero said.

“While child exploitation cases are always horrendous, the conduct in this case is particularly offensive because of Padilla’s position of authority and trust in the community as a law enforcement officer,” Romero said in a statement. “We stand ready with our federal, state and local partners to identify and prosecute those who would prey upon minor children – no matter who they are.”

Padilla pleaded guilty in December 2021 to producing, distributing, and possessing child pornography, all charges that stemmed from an investigation into an illicit sexual encounter in P.a. he had with a 17-year-old girl while he was a sheriff’s deputy. Padilla recorded himself during this encounter, and later uploaded some of that video to an online social media platform.

“As a member of law enforcement, Padilla was trusted and sworn to protect his community. He lost that trust when he violated a minor and put children’s safety at risk,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in a statement. “I am thankful for the hard work of my office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold Padilla accountable for his crimes and get a sexually violent predator off the streets. This sentencing is a reminder that being in a position of public trust does not put you above the law.”

Padilla separately pleaded guilty last year to seeking sex with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. He was also indicted last year in a case involving him allegedly videotaping violent sexual assaults on multiple unconscious women over a span of three years. Read more: Ex-Middlesex Sheriff's Officer Assaulted Sleeping Women, Cops Say