Gulf Coast Stapletons' Social Media Influencer Sentenced for Child Pornography

Joshua David Stapleton, a 39-year-old social media influencer known for showcasing his Gulf Coast lifestyle alongside his wife, has been sentenced to five years in prison following his guilty plea to multiple counts of child exploitation.

Originally from Georgia, Stapleton received a 20-year sentence, which includes five years of incarceration and an additional 15 years of probation. This decision came after he admitted to 20 counts of sexual exploitation of children, as detailed in court documents.

The couple operates the popular “Gulf Coast Stapletons” social media account, boasting over 86,000 followers and more than a million likes across platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Their content typically features fitness routines, culinary experiences, and travel adventures.

Investigators uncovered that between 2018 and 2020, Stapleton had downloaded explicit images involving prepubescent children. Initially facing 15 charges related to child pornography possession, he was later indicted on a total of 40 counts of sexual exploitation.

In a plea deal that left little room for negotiation, Stapleton pleaded guilty to 20 counts. The lifestyle content shared by the couple continued to circulate online, with recent posts highlighting their trip to Orange Beach, Alabama.

In the wake of the sentencing, Brittani Morris Stapleton, his wife, has taken to social media to address what she describes as “misinformation” regarding her husband’s case. The couple married in 2023, shortly after the charges were filed against him.

“Josh was absolutely up front with me about everything in the charges; there were no secrets,” she stated in a TikTok video. She also defended their online presence against claims of presenting a fabricated lifestyle.