A Georgia native and social media influencer has been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of child pornography. Joshua David Stapleton, age 39, was handed down a 20-year sentence with 15 years suspended for probation following his guilty plea to 20 counts of sexual exploitation of children, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
Stapleton maintained a virtual presence as part of the 'Gulf Coast Stapletons' with his wife, Brittani Morris Stapleton, gaining over 81,000 followers through content such as workout videos and travel posts. His online activity extended beyond his hometown of Cartersville, where he previously owned a State Farm Agency, according to his LinkedIn profile. Between 2018 and 2020, authorities reported that he downloaded images involving prepubescent children in sexually abusive situations. The investigation began following a tip submitted through the Internet Crimes Against Children program and was conducted by Bartow County law enforcement in coordination with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as reported by the New York Post.
The investigation's findings and ensuing legal proceedings have placed Stapleton in Bartow County Sheriff's Office Jail, with his sentencing marked by a non-negotiated plea deal reducing the initial 40 counts of sexual exploitation to the 20 he pleaded guilty for. In addition to his sentence, Stapleton is required to abide by several conditions reflective of his sex offender status upon release.
Since the news of his sentencing became public knowledge, reactions have poured forth on social media, alternately expressing shock and condemnation. Neighbor Bryan Canty recalled to Fox 5 Atlanta, "Just a mild-mannered guy, nothing that would even give you the slightest inclination that there was some type of criminal activity going on."
Despite the severity of the charges and the resulting impact on their public image, Brittani has continued to express support for her husband. She denies that their social media content was misleading. "People keep saying we were living fake lives. There's nothing fake about it. It was our lives, We are still happy. He and I have no issues," she told Fox 5 Atlanta.
