GARZA PLEADS GUILTY TO SECOND DEGREE SEX OFFENSE, SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR
Joseph J. Garza, 28, of Walkersville, MD, pled guilty yesterday to one count of a sexual offense in the second degree, two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, and one count of distribution of child pornography.
On July 13, 2015 Maryland State Police identified a video containing child pornography being uploaded to a file sharing site as part of an investigation into child pornography. After tracking the individual’s Internet Protocol address they were able to identify that the video was being shared by a computer located at 829 Inspiration Avenue in Walkersville.
On August 27, 2015 Frederick County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at that address and identified the individual using the computer as the defendant, Joseph Garza. After being interviewed by police Garza confessed to downloading the pornography and placing it on the file sharing site. He also confessed to having sexual contact with three juveniles. Two of the victims lived with Garza while the third was an acquaintance.
Garza received an 85 year sentence with all but 25 years suspended. The second degree sexual offense charge carries a mandatory minimum of fifteen years in prison. He will also not be eligible for parole until after serving fifteen years. Upon completion of his sentence he will serve five years of supervised probation and have his name added to the Maryland State Sex Offender Registry for the remainder of his life. He must have no contact with any of the three victims or any child under the age of 16. He will also be subject to computer monitoring throughout the course of probation.
Garza will be at the Division of Corrections for the duration of his sentence. The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney Tammy Leache.
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