Who is Josh Stapleton? Georgia Influencer Sentenced for Child Exploitation Crimes

Joshua David Stapleton, a former Cartersville, Georgia resident and a once-popular lifestyle influencer, has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to 20 counts of sexual exploitation of children. The sentencing marks the end of a four-year criminal investigation that exposed disturbing digital evidence and shocked the local community — and his thousands of online followers.

Who Is Josh Stapleton?

Josh Stapleton, 39, is best known online for his family-centric content as part of the TikTok and Instagram brand “Gulf Coast Stapletons”, where he and his wife, Brittani Morris Stapleton, shared videos of:

• Boating and beach trips

• Fitness routines

• Outdoor adventures

• Family meals and travel vlogs

Their content earned them over 81,000 followers and more than 1 million likes, with most viewers assuming they were an upbeat, health-focused, beach-loving couple living the American dream.

Stapleton also worked as a State Farm insurance agent and was listed as the owner of the Josh Stapleton State Farm Agency in Cartersville on LinkedIn. His professional and social presence painted a picture of a successful, well-liked family man.

But behind that image, authorities discovered a far more disturbing reality.

The Charges and Investigation

The case began in 2020, when the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a tip about Josh Stapleton. That tip led to a multi-agency investigation involving:

• The Cartersville Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division

• The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)

• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Between 2018 and 2020, investigators found that Stapleton had downloaded and stored images and videos depicting prepubescent children in sexually abusive situations. Authorities confirmed that this wasn’t a one-time occurrence — the digital files were numerous and spanned over a two-year period.

In the early stages of the case, Stapleton was charged with 15 counts of possession of child pornography. After further investigation, a grand jury indicted him on 40 counts of sexual exploitation of children.

The Plea Deal and Sentencing

On June 24, 2025, after years of court proceedings and legal negotiations, Stapleton entered a non-negotiated plea deal. He pleaded guilty to 20 of the 40 charges, while the other 20 were dropped.

As part of his sentence:

• He will serve 5 years in prison

• Followed by 15 years on probation

• He will have to register as a sex offender

• He must follow strict post-release conditions, including limitations on internet use, travel, and contact with minors

Stapleton is currently being held at the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office Jail.

Reaction from the Community

The sentencing has sent shockwaves through Cartersville, where many residents knew Josh personally — and never suspected criminal behavior.

Bryan Canty, a neighbor who lived across the street from Stapleton, recalled the 2020 raid vividly: “It was Homeland Security. I was just like, wow, what in the world is going on? I learned about the child exploitation charges later. That just threw me for a loop. I had absolutely no idea.”

Wife Speaks Out: “We’re Still Happy”

Josh’s wife, Brittani Morris Stapleton, whom he married in 2023 after the charges were already public, has publicly defended him. In interviews and comments, she clarified that Josh had been honest with her from the start about his legal situation: “Josh was absolutely upfront with me about everything in the charges. There were no secrets.”

She also rejected public criticism about their online life being “fake,” saying: “People keep saying we were living fake lives. There’s nothing fake about it. It was our life. We are still happy. He and I have no issues.”

Brittani continues to maintain their brand presence online, although it has drawn significant backlash since the conviction.

Summary of Charges

• Name: Joshua David Stapleton

• Age: 39

• Residence: Formerly Cartersville, GA; recently listed as living in Perdido Key, Florida

• Profession: Former State Farm agent

• Social Media: “Gulf Coast Stapletons”

• Criminal Charges:

  • 40 counts of sexual exploitation of children (20 dropped via plea deal)

  • Convicted of 20 counts

• Sentence:

  • 20 years total

  • 5 years in prison

  • 15 years probation

  • Sex offender registration and conditions