Gospel Artist Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges

News Summary

Joshua Kagler, a gospel artist and choir teacher, has been arrested in New Orleans, facing 12 felony charges, including child trafficking and sexual exploitation. The allegations arose from a complaint by a parent regarding inappropriate messages sent to a minor. During the investigation, it was revealed that Kagler had engaged in sexual acts with the boy, offering payments for these encounters. The local police urge other potential victims to come forward as the investigation continues.

New Orleans – Joshua “Josh” Kagler, a 38-year-old gospel artist and choir teacher at Warren Easton High School, was arrested by New Orleans police on Tuesday morning, facing multiple felony charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. He is currently under scrutiny for a total of 12 felony charges, including five counts of trafficking of children for sexual purposes, five counts of indecent behavior with juveniles, one count of third-degree rape, and one count of sexual battery.

The arrest followed a complaint from the mother of a 16-year-old boy, who alerted authorities after discovering concerning text messages sent from Kagler to her son. The messages were reported to be sexual in nature, prompting the local police department to initiate an investigation into Kagler’s conduct. The inquiry revealed that Kagler had approached the boy under the pretense of inviting him to his home to smoke marijuana, which eventually led to a series of disturbing interactions.

During the investigation, it emerged that Kagler began paying the minor for sexual acts, with incidents reportedly taking place at his residence. The boy mentioned that Kagler had groomed him by offering money in exchange for engaging in sexual activities, which initially involved mere observation but escalated to physical contact. The victim expressed discomfort with this arrangement, but Kagler continued to offer monetary incentives for further acts.

Payments for these sexual encounters were made in cash and through cash apps, while Kagler would utilize rideshare services to transport the boy or personally pick him up. The nature of these transactions and the manipulation involved in this case have raised significant concerns in the community.

At the time of his arrest, Kagler was still listed as a teacher on the Warren Easton website. However, the school has since confirmed that he is no longer employed there. Prior to his position at Warren Easton, he had held teaching roles at George Washington Carver High School and McDonough 35.

Aside from his teaching career, Kagler is recognized as a musician in the local gospel community. He has performed with his group, the Harmonistic Praise Crusade, at several prominent events, including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. His involvement in the arts has made the current allegations particularly shocking to many in the local community.

The New Orleans Police Department has stated that the investigation is ongoing and has urged any other potential victims to come forward. The authorities emphasize the importance of victim safety and encourage individuals with information related to the case to contact the Sex Crimes Unit or report anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Following his arrest, Kagler was ordered to be held without bond until a preliminary hearing scheduled for Monday. As the case develops, the community remains vigilant, concerned for the welfare of any other potential victims of similar exploitation.

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• WWLTV: Joshua Kagler Arrested
• Wikipedia: Child Exploitation
• NOLA: New Orleans Choir Director Booked
• Google Search: Joshua Kagler
• MSN: Gospel Artist Arrested
• Google Scholar: Child Trafficking
• KPEL: Josh Kagler Arrested
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Exploitation
• WWLTV: Felony Charges Against Teacher
• Google News: Joshua Kagler