A Long Island, New York, man will spend at least the next 15 years in federal prison after admitting he used threats and blackmail to coerce minors into sending him sexually explicit images, Us Weekly has learned.
Joseph Garofalo, 21, was working as an assistant lacrosse coach at Valley Stream Central High School at the time of his alleged crimes.
Court documents shared with Us contend Garofalo was in court on Thursday, February 5, to plead guilty to sexual exploitation of a child.
Federal investigators arrested Garofalo in April 2025 and accused him of sexually exploiting more than two dozen boys, using social media.
Authorities discovered Garofalo would contact minor students through social media apps and engage them in sexually explicit conversations, federal prosecutors said. As part of these conversations, he convinced his victims into sending him nude photos.
Federal investigators said Garofalo would then threaten to distribute those nude images unless the victims sent additional explicit photos and videos.
Police have labelled this type of online abuse “sextortion,” which is defined as “the practice of extorting money or sexual favors from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity.”
But investigators learned more details the more they looked into Garofalo and learned he successfully pressured some of his victims into sending him sexually explicit images they had of their friends, according to court records.
According to investigators, they were able to identify approximately 30 minor victims during the course of the investigation, including children who were as young as 13.
Federal authorities further accused Garofalo of repeatedly uploading child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to the internet.
The investigation was wrapped up last spring, when FBI agents stormed Garofalo’s residence with a search warrant. During their search, Garofalo admitted that he controlled the social media account that was being used to solicit explicit material from minors. He further acknowledged possessing such material on his electronic devices.
Agents seized multiple devices and recovered digital evidence from different social media platforms which they say corroborate all of the claims against Garofalo.
Police in New Jersey claim they have arrested a dozen child predators as part of a multi-agency undercover operation designed to catch people who were allegedly trying to lure children using social media and different online messaging applications. Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said that “Operation Bad Santa” was a success, nabbing the suspects — […]
“This case is a stark reminder that those entrusted with the care and mentorship of children must be held to the highest standards,” offered U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. in a statement. “Our office will relentlessly pursue predators like this defendant who victimize the most vulnerable members of our society.”
Garofalo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. A judge could decide to sentence him to double that amount.
The investigation that led to Garofalo’s arrest was conducted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating online child exploitation.
Anyone with information related to Garofalo’s conduct — including those who may believe they are potential victims of the former lacrosse coach — has been asked to contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 212-384-1000.
If you know of a young person who is being exploited or is the victim of a crime, you are urged to report it to your local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be left at tips.fbi.gov
