Ex-Guard Gonderman Gets 14 Years for Child Porn

NEW BERN, NC – A former North Carolina correctional officer is headed to federal prison after admitting to a sickening crime. JOSHUA LYNN GONDERMAN, 23, of Lumberton, N.C., was sentenced today to 168 months (14 years) in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for the Receipt of Child Pornography (CP). The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan.

The case began unraveling in March 2016 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Fayetteville discovered that GONDERMAN was receiving illicit images and videos from an out-of-state target of another FBI investigation. Adding to the depravity, investigators quickly learned GONDERMAN wasn’t just a recipient – he was actively employed as a correctional officer at the NC Department of Public Safety Lumberton Correctional Institution, a position of trust he clearly abused.

A search warrant executed on May 31, 2016, at GONDERMAN’s residence yielded a horrifying haul. Multiple storage devices were seized, and a preliminary review confirmed the presence of child pornography. GONDERMAN was initially arrested on state charges, but the federal government took over prosecution. The investigation revealed he used his smartphone as a repository for the disturbing material.

The sheer volume of CP discovered was staggering. Authorities found a total of 4,712 images depicting the sexual exploitation of children. The content wasn’t limited to general abuse; several images showed infants subjected to horrific acts and portrayed scenes of sadistic and masochistic conduct, painting a grim picture of the defendant’s depravity. GONDERMAN pled guilty to the charge on February 16, 2017.

The FBI’s Fayetteville Office, along with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, spearheaded the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan A. Ontjes skillfully prosecuted the case at the federal level. This wasn’t simply about locking up a predator; it was about dismantling a network of exploitation and protecting vulnerable children.

This case was brought under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative dedicated to the relentless prosecution of those who exploit children. The program emphasizes a coordinated, all-hands-on-deck approach, leveraging resources at every level of law enforcement. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation.