A Lorain County man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for exploiting minor girls through social media by posing as the owner of a modeling agency. Joshua R. Glover, 36, from Elyria, Ohio, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster after pleading guilty in July to charges related to receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), as well as possession of such material. In addition to his prison term, Glover will serve 10 years of supervised release and must pay $2,000 into a fund for victims.
According to court documents, between January 2022 and January 2024, Glover used Snapchat to contact hundreds of girls aged 12 to 15 across the United States. He posed as a modeling agency owner and promised payment for sexually explicit images and videos. Investigators found that he initiated more than 18,000 chats with minors and sometimes maintained communication for years. During these interactions, he directed the type of sexual activity depicted in the content he solicited and offered to meet some victims in person.
“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,” said United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “We are immensely grateful to the FBI Cleveland for the thorough investigation that led to Glover’s three-decades-long sentence to keep him behind bars where he cannot continue this predatory behavior.”
Federal search warrants executed on Glover’s digital devices revealed about 100 files containing CSAM. Glover admitted receiving illicit images and videos from more than 90 minors.
“Contacting, coercing, and preying on young girls through social media to gain their trust and elicit inappropriate behavior is cold and callous,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “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 FBI will continue to work collaboratively to combine resources and share expertise to identify those who commit these appalling crimes and find justice for the victims.”
The case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer King.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national effort spearheaded by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices aiming at combating child sexual exploitation online by coordinating federal, state, and local efforts.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood: Justice.gov/PSC
To report child exploitation: cybertipline.org or call 1-800-843-5678 at any time.
