A former deputy from the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office has been indicted on charges related to child pornography. The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana charged Joshua Uhlman, 36, from Pine Prairie, Louisiana, with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography.
According to the indictment, between September 2024 and February 2, 2025, Uhlman allegedly attempted to employ and coerce two minors into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for visual depiction purposes. It is claimed that he intended for these depictions to be transmitted via interstate commerce.
Additionally, it is alleged that during the same period, Uhlman knowingly received child pornography through various means affecting interstate and foreign commerce.
If found guilty, Uhlman could face a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years for each count related to the production of child pornography. For receiving child pornography, he faces a minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years. He may also be subject to three years of supervised release and a fine reaching $250,000.
It is important to note that an indictment serves as an accusation only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation with Assistant United States Attorney Craig R. Bordelon II prosecuting the case.
The public can report incidents involving child sexual abuse materials through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). In 2023 alone, NCMEC reported receiving over 36 million reports concerning such materials. Reports can be filed at https://report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
