Ex Charlotte immigration attorney Joshua Reed, 32, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on March 8, 2022 for the online enticement of a minor. Joshua used the KIK messenger app as a sexual tool to lure a teen girl, he also had child pornography. Joshua has now been disbarred as an attorney.
Between February 10 and February 18, 2020, Joshua used the Kik Messenger application to engage in multiple communications with an FBI undercover employee posing as a 13-year-old female. During the communications Joshua discussed his interest in engaging in sexual contact with the minor girl and tried to solicit a nude photograph from her.
Joshua also discussed making arrangements to meet the minor and told the minor they had to be careful or he could get into big trouble because older guys are not supposed to mess around with girls that were 13.
On October 22, 2020, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Joshua’s residence and seized numerous electronic devices. Joshua’s laptops contained the aforementioned online Kik chats, as well as images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
According to documents filed in the case, law enforcement also recovered previous online chats dating back to approximately five years between Joshua and females who claimed to be minors, some as young as 13.
On June 8, 2021, Joshua pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor. He is currently in federal custody and he will be transferred to custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
Joshua was also ordered to register as a sex offender and to serve the rest of his life under court supervision after he is released from prison.
