Stockstill Admits to Filming Minor in Sex Act

GULFPORT, MS – A Mississippi man has confessed to a sickening crime that preyed on a vulnerable child. Joshua Christopher Stockstill, 29, of Carriere, Mississippi, pled guilty today to producing a video depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby.

Court documents reveal Stockstill enticed the minor into performing the acts using his cellphone camera in Pearl River County back in November of 2018. The depraved content didn’t remain hidden for long. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) flagged the video and related images, triggering a federal investigation. It took until July 14, 2021, with crucial assistance from NCMEC, for the FBI’s Gulfport field office to identify Stockstill – shockingly, a then-serving Picayune Police Sergeant – as the perpetrator.

The details of how Stockstill abused his position of trust, if at all, are not currently public, but the FBI’s involvement suggests a thorough investigation into any potential abuse of power. The Grimy Times will continue to pursue this line of inquiry. Stockstill’s legal representation has not yet responded to requests for comment. The victim’s identity is being withheld to protect their privacy and ongoing well-being.

Stockstill is slated to face sentencing on February 24, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. in Gulfport. The potential consequences are severe: a maximum of 30 years behind bars, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He also faces a hefty fine, potentially reaching $250,000. A federal district judge will weigh the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors before determining the final penalty.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation, bolstered by the support of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Division. This case is a stark reminder of the pervasive threat of online child exploitation and the critical need for continued vigilance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones is prosecuting the case, ensuring Stockstill is held accountable for his horrific actions.

This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. The project aims to dismantle the networks that facilitate child sexual abuse and exploitation. It’s a collaborative effort, bringing together federal, state, and local resources to apprehend predators, rescue victims, and deliver justice. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.