A former Long Island assistant high school lacrosse coach, Joseph Garofalo, has pleaded guilty to charges of child sexual exploitation. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, he admitted to coercing minors into producing sexually explicit material.
Federal prosecutors state that Garofalo, who was assigned to mentor and guide young athletes, exploited his position to victimize children. He faces a potential prison sentence of 15 to 30 years. United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. emphasized that individuals responsible for the care and mentorship of children are held to strict standards and stated that his office will continue to pursue those who exploit vulnerable members of society.
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI New York Field Office, described the case, stating that Joseph Garofalo, an assistant high school coach, exploited over 30 minors by coercing them into sending sexually explicit photos and videos through social media. The scheme involved threatening to release compromising images unless the victims provided additional material, and in some instances, pressuring them to solicit explicit content from their peers.
The investigation, which led to the execution of a search warrant at Garofalo's residence in April 2025, uncovered significant evidence. The FBI seized electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and records of coercion across social media platforms. James C. Barnacle, Jr. noted that Garofalo, who was responsible for the care and development of young teenagers, violated that trust by exploiting children. Assistant United States Attorney Adam R. Toporovsky is overseeing the prosecution with the assistance of paralegal specialist Janelle Robinson.
The guilty plea follows the efforts of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child exploitation and abuse. Individuals with information about this case or other potential victims are encouraged to contact the FBI.
