ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW) – An Elyria man who pretended to own a modeling agency and groomed young girls into sending him child pornography was sentenced to prison, prosecutors announced on Monday.
Joshua Glover, 36, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
After being released, Glover must serve 10 years of supervised release and pay $2,000 “in assessments toward a monetary reserve” for victims of child sex abuse, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio wrote.
According to court records, Glover used Snapchat to communicate with hundreds of underage girls between January 2022 and January 2024, posing as the owner of a modeling agency.
Investigators said the victims were across the country and typically between the ages of 12 and 15.
“Investigators found that Glover repeatedly sent requests for sexually explicit photos and videos to young girls with the lure of joining his modeling agency and receiving payment for their images and videos,” the attorney’s office said in the media release.
According to court documents, Glover sent thousands of messages to victims, sometimes offering to meet them for sex.
During the investigation, federal agents found that Glover had about 100 files of child pornography on digital devices and online accounts.
Investigators also said he admitted to receiving photos and videos from more than 90 minors.
Back in July, Glover pleaded guilty to the following charges: receiving and distributing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and possession of child pornography.
The investigation was led by the Cleveland FBI.
“Contacting, coercing, and preying on young girls through social media to gain their trust and elicit inappropriate behavior is cold and callous,” FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen said. “This sentence underscores the commitment of not only the FBI, but also our federal, state and local partners who will ensure a full and thorough investigation that leads to taking predators like Glover offline and out of our neighborhoods.”
The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative led by attorneys’ offices across the country to find and prosecute anyone who exploits children online.
“Glover’s vile and despicable manipulation of underage girls has come to an end. He will no longer commit these heinous and horrendous crimes against vulnerable children,” U.S. Attorney David Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio said.
Child exploitation can be reported online or by calling 1-800-843-5678.