NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOSHUA PAUL FALGOUT (“FALGOUT”),age 32, of Houma, Louisiana, was charged on September 25, 2026 in a recently unsealed indictment with Receipt of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252 (a)(2), and (b)(1), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to the indictment, beginning on a date unknown, and continuing until on or about March 26, 2026, FALGOUT knowingly received visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
FALGOUT faces a minimum of five (5) years up to a maximum of twenty (20) years in prison, followed by a term of supervised release for five (5) years up to life. A $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee and a fine of up to $250,000 are also applicable. If convicted, FALGOUT will be required to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney and Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force Leader Maria M. Carboni of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
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