ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge John A. Ross sentenced Dr. Ashu Joshi to 96 months in prison for distribution of child pornography. The 48-year-old St. Louis resident pleaded guilty in September.
Dr. Joshi was 46 years old when he began a relationship with a 16-year-old Kentucky girl who Dr. Joshi met through her mother, a former patient of the doctor’s in Kentucky. The doctor and victim had sex and took pornographic pictures, exchanging photos over Facebook messenger.
In October 2018, a St. Louis County Police Officer received four cyber-tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding Dr. Joshi. The tips were first directed to the Bowling Green, Kentucky Police Department, which then asked St. Louis County Police for help after investigators learned Dr. Joshi lived in St. Louis County. Investigators learned from the tips that between August and September 2018, a Facebook account linked to Doctor Joshi uploaded and sent several pictures containing child pornography. The investigators then gathered and developed evidence which led to the charges against Dr. Joshi.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Louis County Police Department and the Regional Computer Crimes Education and Enforcement Group investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Colleen Lang and Investigator Donya Jackson handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
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St. Louis doctor pleads guilty to distribution of child pornography
ST. LOUIS, MO (September 16, 2020) – United States District Judge John A. Ross accepted a plea, today, from 48-year-old Ashu Joshi. Joshi, a St. Louis resident, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography.
According to a plea agreement, Joshi was 46 years old and a doctor when he began a relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Joshi met the girl through her mother. The mother was a former patient of the doctor’s in Kentucky. The doctor and victim had sex and took pornographic pictures. Both exchanged photos over Facebook messenger.
In October 2018, a St. Louis County Police Officer received four cyber-tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tips were first to the Bowling Green, KY Police Department. The BGPD then asked St. Louis County Police for help after investigators learned one of the parties lived in St. Louis County.
The tip told investigators, between August and September 2018, a Facebook account linked to the doctor uploaded and sent several pictures containing child pornography.
The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of no more than $250,000.
Judge Ross has set sentencing for October 7, 2020.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Louis County Police Department and the Regional Computer Crimes Education and Enforcement Group investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Colleen Lang and Investigator Donya Jackson are handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
