Introduction: My name is Joshua, and I am a victim of a grave injustice. On January 11th,2019, I was wrongfully convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child, a crime I did not commit. This petition seeks to shed light on the injustice I've faced and to demand a fair chance to prove my innocence.
Issue at Hand: I met the love of my life on June 17th, 2016 and we began to build a life together. My biological daughter grew very close to her and we were a very close-knit family unit. After returning from a couple’s trip to Cancun, however, the fight of our lives began. I was arrested at work in January of 2018 for indecency/exposure with a child, a crime I have always been innocent of. We quickly hired attorneys and began working to clear my name. I cooperated with the police and CPS despite their lack of interest in finding the truth in this case.
I was falsely accused and subsequently convicted of a heinous crime without adequate representation or a fair trial. The prosecutor changed the charges against me without taking my case back before the grand jury which means I suddenly went from facing an indecency charge to continuous sexual abuse of a child. My attorneys failed to defend my innocence effectively, and critical evidence that could have exonerated me was suppressed, manipulated, or failed to be presented at all. The investigating officer left crucial pieces of evidence out of his report before my case was taken to trial.
In her interview with the detective, my ex-step-daughter says that my ex-wife (her mother) was looking for something to put me away for a long time. This is recorded on video and was played multiple times at my trial.
Below my attorney is asking Detective Ahrens (the lead investigator in this case) about his report and leaving out a crucial statement made to him by my ex-step-daughter:
Impact: The consequences of this wrongful conviction have been devastating. I have lost custody of my child, been separated from my family, and unjustly deprived of my freedom for five years with another twenty to lose. This miscarriage of justice not only affects me but also undermines faith in our legal system and perpetuates an extreme attack on father’s rights. My accuser’s grandmother worked at the courthouse where my trial took place. She and her husband came into the trial multiple times and a juror realized he was related to them and my accuser. This was a small-town setup and I never had a chance.
Call to Action: I urge you to join me in demanding a review of my case and a fair chance to prove my innocence. This includes an independent investigation into the misconduct and negligence that marred my trial, as well as a reassessment of the evidence with due process and proper legal representation.
Why it Matters: This cause is deeply personal to me, as it concerns my freedom, reputation, and future. However, it also speaks to broader issues of fairness, integrity, and accountability within our legal system. Every individual deserves the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence, principles that were severely violated in my case. Everyone needs to understand how easily this could happen to you or someone you love. I have never been in any legal trouble. I cooperated with every agency that wanted to speak with me. The police did not attempt to interview my family or my significant other, they did not search my home, did not search my computer, or my cell phone, and they did not try to visit and document the alleged places where this crime supposedly took place.
Please see below; my attorney questioning Detective Ahrens during the first day of trial.
My attorneys took my cell phone to a forensic data specialist who is legally obligated to turn any findings over to the police if it involves anything inappropriate with children. He found nothing. You would think that someone capable of this disgusting crime would not be able to turn over their electronics without issue and without them containing any inappropriate images or content involving children. I even invited the CPS worker assigned to my case to come to my home and see where I lived and what my biological daughter’s home life was like with me and she declined to come. I wanted to prove my innocence so badly but absolutely no one wanted to listen. The new fad of accusing your significant other of something horrendous to take away their freedom is an ongoing epidemic and must be stopped. Children deserve to be heard and believed but when adults utilize this as a false tool to control someone’s life it takes away from the actual victims who need a voice.
My ex-wife utilized a tactic known as SAID syndrome to take away my biological daughter, my freedom, and my life. SAID syndrome, Sexual Allegations In Divorce, is a common tactic used amongst divorcing parents to gain a leg up in their custody battle. My ex-wife knew that she had already lost custody of her first child (the child accusing me in this case) and she did not want to lose custody of her second child whom she shared with me.
Please see below from our temporary orders hearing where my attorney questions my ex-wife:
My daughter had made it very clear that she wanted to live with me full time which prompted me to push for more custody of her and her mother was having none of that.
This is my attorney speaking to my significant other about my biological daughter:
To rectify this and ensure that she would not have to share any custody with me she corrupted the purpose of our legal system and guaranteed that I would lose my freedom. People get divorced every day and fathers should not have to live in fear that their only options are to give up their children or be sent to prison on false allegations. I refused to abandon my daughter and therefore was unfairly punished.
My attorney questioning my ex-wife on the stand:
When I was interviewed by Detective Ahrens he asked me if I wanted to take a polygraph test to help prove that I am innocent. I passionately said yes and informed him that I would do anything to be able to see my daughter again. This was all recorded. Unfortunately, when we made it to trial the prosecutor and my attorneys agreed to edit my interview and take out any mention of a polygraph. They both ensured my downfall and guaranteed that the jury would not get to see my full interview and therefore find me guilty. It is important to note that the prosecutor in this case is known for his shady behavior and has eight complaints against him for prosecutorial misconduct in multiple cases.
Here is my attorney and the prosecutor discussing my interview video just before agreeing to edit it and show it to the jury.
What You Can Do: Please sign and share this petition to raise awareness for my case and demand justice. Together, we can pressure authorities to review my case, rectify the injustices I've endured, and prevent similar travesties from befalling others.
Conclusion: Innocent lives are at stake, and justice must prevail. Your support can make a difference in righting this horrific wrong and restoring faith in the integrity of our legal system. Thank you for standing with me in pursuit of truth, fairness, and justice.
If you have questions or are looking for the best way to contact us please email us at joshjusticeleague@gmail.com
