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, showcase their Gulf Coast adventures on social media, presenting an image of an idyllic life, although reality is quite different.
The couple has garnered over one million likes on TikTok and Instagram, attracting more than 81,000 followers with their posts of workout routines, meals, and vacations.
However, their fame has significantly waned following investigators’ horrifying revelation that Joshua Stapleton had downloaded images of child abuse, according to Fox 5 News.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
