Former NC Correctional Officer Sentenced to 14 Years for the Receipt of Child Pornography

NEW BERN – United States Attorney John Stuart Bruce announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced JOSHUA LYNN GONDERMAN, 23, from Lumberton, N.C., to 168 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for the Receipt of Child Pornography (CP). GONDERMAN pled guilty to the charge on February 16, 2017.

In March 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Fayetteville discovered that GONDERMAN had received CP from a target of another FBI investigation out of state. During their investigation they also learned that GONDERMAN was employed as a correctional officer at the NC Department of Public Safety Lumberton Correctional Institution.

On May 31, 2016, a search warrant was executed on GONDERMAN’s residence and multiple storage devices were seized. A preliminary review of the seized items uncovered CP and GONDERMAN was arrested on state charges. As determined by the investigation, GONDERMAN used a smartphone to receive and store images and videos of CP. He possessed 4,712 images of CP. Several of the images depicted the sexual exploitation of infants and portrayed sadistic and masochistic conduct.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fayetteville Office and the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office. The federal prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ethan A. Ontjes.

This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.