On October 21, 2024, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Prosecutors Chris Seufert
and Frances Manzo selected a jury in the State of Texas vs. Joshua Aaron Vanarsdale on one
count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child, one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault of
a Child, and five counts of Possession of Child Pornography. After approximately thirty minutes
of deliberation, a Montgomery County jury convicted Vanarsdale on each charge.
On October 25, 2024, after a brief punishment hearing, Judge Kaycee Jones, sitting for the
Honorable Lisa Michalk, sentenced Joshua Aaron Vanarsdale, 32, to two life sentences plus 50
years in prison for sexually abusing multiple children and possessing images depicting child
sexual abuse. Vanarsdale will never be eligible for parole.
The investigation began when Google reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children (NCMEC) that a user had uploaded several hundred images of child sexual abuse
material. Among the uploaded images was a video depicting a male, later identified as
Vanarsdale, sexually abusing a 6-year-old child. An investigator from the Montgomery County
Precinct 2 Constable’s Office identified the child victim. The investigator then obtained an arrest
warrant for Vanarsdale and secured a search warrant for his residence within approximately 72
hours of receiving the original tip.
The Montgomery County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force seized multiple
digital devices belonging to Vanarsdale pursuant to the search warrant. Investigators with the
ICAC Task Force confirmed that the devices contained thousands of images of child sexual
abuse material, including images depicting torture, murder, dismemberment, and bestiality.
During questioning by investigators, Vanarsdale admitted to collecting and consuming child
pornography for seven years, additionally admitting that he created the video of himself abusing
a young child that Google initially reported. As the investigation progressed, another young
child came forward and disclosed abuse at the hands of Vanarsdale.
At trial, the jury heard from the lead investigator, victims, their family members, a forensic
interviewer, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, a fingerprint expert, and a digital forensic expert.
Following three days of testimony, the jury reached a unanimous verdict. Assistant District Attorney Frances Manzo said, “This case showcases the power of teamwork to protect our
children. From tech companies to dedicated investigators, victims to forensic interviewers,
digital forensic experts to the judge and jury—everyone played a vital role in bringing a
truly evil man to justice.”
District Attorney Brett Ligon said, “It’s rare to encounter an individual so driven by
malevolence as Joshua Aaron Vanarsdale. His disturbing obsession with harming children
and fixation on death and darkness made him a true predator, hiding in plain sight.
Today’s sentence ensures he will remain separated from society permanently, protecting our community from the darkness inside him. And great is that darkness.”
Age: 32
Court: 221st District Court, Judge Kaycee Jones, presiding
Charge(s): 1) Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, 2) Aggravated Sexual Assault of a
Child, 3) Possession of Child Pornography (5 counts)
Plea: Not Guilty to all Charges
Verdict: By jury on 10/23/24: Guilty on all charges
Sentence: By judge on 10/25/24: Life without Parole on Continuous Sexual Abuse of
a Child, Life on Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, 10 years each on
Possession of Child Pornography, all to run consecutively.
