News Summary
Joshua Kagler, a choir director and teacher in New Orleans, has been arrested for multiple felony charges, including child sex trafficking and rape. Following his arrest, a judge ruled to deny him bail, citing significant risks to the victims and community. Kagler faces serious accusations involving transactions with minors. The NOPD is actively seeking additional victims as investigations continue. This alarming news has shocked the local community where Kagler was known for his involvement in schools and BET productions.
New Orleans – Joshua “Josh” Kagler, a local choir director and teacher, has been arrested and is currently being held without bond as he faces serious charges of child sex trafficking and rape. Kagler appeared in court on July 28, following his arrest on July 22, with the state filing to hold him without bail in light of the gravity of the accusations, which include five felony counts that could lead to mandatory life sentences. The judge ruled against granting bail due to the potential severity of the charges and deemed Kagler a flight risk, along with being a significant threat to the alleged victims.
Kagler, who has no prior criminal history, has been portrayed by his attorney as not being a flight risk. The defense argued for home incarceration during the legal proceedings, citing Kagler’s community ties. However, the judge disagreed, emphasizing the risk Kagler posed to the alleged victims. Protective orders have been instituted to ensure he remains away from them as the case unfolds.
Specific allegations against Kagler include multiple instances of sexual exploitation involving minors. A second victim has recently come forward with allegations against him. According to reports, he is accused of raping a 16-year-old boy and compensating him for sexual activities that occurred at his residence. The timeline of the misconduct began when the victim’s mother reported concerning text messages found on her son’s phone on March 8, prompting further investigation.
The initial victim disclosed that Kagler approached him while he was a student at Warren Easton Charter School. Kagler allegedly invited the boy to his home under the pretext of smoking marijuana. During these visits, the victim reported receiving monetary payments from Kagler through Cash App. He also stated that he was coerced into engaging in inappropriate acts, which escalated to physical abuse despite his objections to Kagler’s actions.
Records indicate that there were multiple payments processed to the boy from Kagler’s account, as well as various rides arranged through ride-sharing services to facilitate these meetings. These serious allegations have prompted the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) to actively seek additional potential victims. They urge anyone with relevant information to come forward, assuring confidentiality and support for those impacted by these incidents.
Kagler has gained a degree of recognition in the community, having appeared on BET productions such as “Fix My Choir” and “How Sweet The Sound.” He has served as an educator at several New Orleans schools, including George Washington Carver High School, McDonough 35, and Warren Easton, making his arrest particularly shocking to many in the community.
The NOPD has encouraged individuals with any allegations or information regarding child sexual exploitation to reach out to the Sex Crimes Unit at (504) 658-5523 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. The police have stressed the importance of these reports in protecting potential victims and bringing justice to those affected.
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Additional Resources
- WDSU
- Wikipedia: Sex Trafficking
- KNOE
- Google Search: Joshua Kagler arrest
- WGNO
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Sexual Exploitation
- WWLTV
- Google News: Joshua Kagler
- NOLA
