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The Irish Sun
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Gulf Coast Stapletons influencer DEFENDS shamed husband after he plead guilty to 20 counts of having child abuse images
AN INFLUENCER has defended her husband online after he was sentenced to prison for child abuse images. Joshua Stapleton, 39, and his wife Brittani, 31, document their Gulf Coast travels across social media, posting what on the surface seems like a perfect life - but it's far from the truth. Advertisement 6 Joshua Stapleton, 39, and his wife Brittani, 31, document their Gulf Coast travels across social media Credit: gulfcoast_stapletons 6 The pair have amassed over one million likes across TikTok and Instagram Credit: gulfcoast_stapletons 6 Stapleton received a 20-year sentence Credit: Bartow County Sheriff's Office Jail 6 Wife Brittani has made it clear she stands with her husband in a TikTok video Credit: gulfcoast_stapletons The pair have amassed over one million likes across TikTok and Instagram with more than 81,000 followers, sharing workout videos, meals and vacations. But their popularity has certainly diminished since investigators made the heinous discovery that husband Stapleton had downloaded child abuse images, Over four years since authorities initially launched their investigation, Stapleton received a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to 20 counts of sexual exploitation of children. Five years are to be served in custody and the remaining 15 on probation. Advertisement But wife Brittani has made it clear she stands with her husband and posted a lengthy TikTok video addressing frequently asked questions on the harrowing situation. She started the video by threatening legal action against anything spreading what she called "false" statements being spread about her husband that are "damaging" to his reputation. Brittani said she knew about the charges against her husband, who wed in 2023, as they were friends before they started dating . She said: "When the charges occurred, we were friends. [...] I have a really good judge of character and I knew something was up. I knew that was not Josh. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Exclusive Exclusive "We had already been on several trips together beforehand. I'd spent pretty close time with this guy and I was like, hmm, something's wrong here. "Josh was absolutely upfront with me about everything in the charges. There were no secrets." Brit, 22, arrested at Disneyland Paris after 'trying to marry girl, 9, in bizarre ceremony at Sleeping Beauty castle' Stapleton's arrest followed an investigation launched by the Cartersville Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division, supported by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the US Department of Homeland Security. The investigation was launched based on a tip submitted through the Internet Crimes Against Children program. Advertisement It was during this probe the 39-year-old was exposed for downloading numerous child abuse images between 2018 and 2020. Addressing another question from concerned social media users, Brittany defended that the couple's friends with children are aware of the charges against Stapleton. She said: " We've always been absolutely upfront with everyone. And guess what? "A lot of these people have our backs because they have personally witnessed Josh around their children and know that there's no issue." Advertisement Stapleton was originally charged with 15 counts of child pornography possession, but was later indicted on a harrowing 40 counts of sexual exploitation of children. He ultimately accepted a non-negotiable plea deal and pleaded guilty to 20 counts, while the remaining 20 charges were dropped. Brittani shockingly rejected the claim that child images were on his "work laptop," slamming them as "false". She ranted: " Josh could not possibly have that on his work laptop because if you have ever worked for a corporation or any big company or anything along those lines, you know how secure those computers are." Advertisement Brittani also pushed back against accusations that they were merely showing "fake lives" across their social media platforms, and said they are "still happy" as a couple despite the vile charges. She rambles: " We are still happy. He and I have no issues. He has been fully transparent and honest with me. "Therefore, I know everything. I have been to court . I know everything. I can assure you that nothing about us was fake." Stapleton will have to abide by multiple " sex offender" conditions upon his release. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Bartow County authorities haven't released additional information about the plea proceedings. Stapleton is currently being held in the Bartow County Sheriff's Office Jail. 6 Stapleton (R) was originally charged with 15 counts of child pornography possession, but was later indicted on a harrowing 40 counts of sexual exploitation of children Credit: gulfcoast_stapletons 6 Stapleton (R) ultimately accepted a non-negotiable plea deal and pleaded guilty to 20 counts, while the remaining 20 charges were dropped Credit: gulfcoast_stapletons Advertisement
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woman killed in Cartersville officer-involved shooting had arrest record
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is taking over an officer-involved shooting that happened Wednesday night in Bartow County. Investigators said Carrie Hall, 50, was shot and killed after refusing to put down a gun. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Arrest records show Hall was taken into custody by the Bartow County Sheriff's Office in January. She faced multiple charges including theft by receiving stolen property, aggravated assault with a gun, terroristic threats and acts, and having a firearm or knife during commission or attempt to commit certain felonies. Adrian Michale lives in Carterville. He told Channel 2's Cory James that he has 'never seen her around here.' TRENDING STORIES: 'Life doesn't feel real:' Family mourns GA 9-year-old found shot in car SWAT team, multiple DeKalb police units respond to barricaded suspect on Lavista Road Tornado touches down in Henry County, 18-year-old critically injured Michale said he was surprised to hear about the shooting near GA-20 and Conference Center Road. 'You never know what someone is going through, but obviously you shouldn't come shooting,' Michale said. 'I pray for everybody involved.' The GBI said deputies and an officer repeatedly told Hall to put her gun down. They said before she was shot, Hall drove to a home on Peoples Valley Road in Bartow County and fired her gun. Officials said the homeowner called police. Authorities said the independent investigation is ongoing. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Cartersville standoff suspect identified, accused of breaking through wall of neighbor's apartment
The Bartow County Sheriff's Office has identified the man investigators said was at the center of Thursday's SWAT standoff in Cartersville. Channel 2 Action News reported a convicted sex offender barricaded himself in an apartment then broke through the wall of a neighboring apartment to try to escape members of law enforcement. Officers were at Iron Belt Court because they said Amos Chumba did not register as a sex offender. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] During the hours-long standoff in Cartersville, neighbors told Channel 2's Michael Seiden it was like 'World War 3 out here.' According to the arrest report from the Bartow County Sheriff's Office, Chumba already had a warrant out for his arrest for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements. The U.S. Marshals were on Iron Belt Court to serve a warrant for Chumba, which the Barrow County Sheriff's Office was assisting with. Officers said Chumba told them he was armed, and units backed up from the residence to wait for the special operations team to arrive. While they waited, Chumba also told them he had a bomb and the building was evacuated for safety. TRENDING STORIES: President Trump: Jimmy Carter 'died a happy man' knowing he wasn't worst president Student dies after blown tire causes school bus to flip on SC interstate, troopers say Aimee Michael was sentenced to 36 years after killing 5 people. She has been paroled after 14 Officers and deputies entered the unit Chumba was in and found he 'busted through the wall and entered' the next unit then broke through another wall to get into another unit, the report stated. Deputies went into the second unit Chumba entered and found him in an upstairs room. He 'complied with commands and was taken into custody' then taken to the Bartow County Jail, officials said. The sheriff's office said that 'due to the extensive damage and forced entry into two other apartments,' Chumba faces multiple charges of burglary and damage to property. Additionally, Chumba was charged with one count of felony terroristic threats and acts and one count of willful obstruction of law enforcement, also a felony. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
