The lacrosse coach at a Long Island high school has been accused of “sextorting” over 30 boys, which includes a 13-year-old, as reported by authorities.
Federal Judge James Wix was evidently disturbed by the actions of 20-year-old assistant coach Joseph Garofalo at Valley Stream High School, so much so that he denied him bail during a hearing last month.
Garfalo maintains that he hasn’t engaged in any form of sexual exploitation involving the young boy.
A federal complaint states that the mother of the 13-year-old reached out to the FBI in October, alleging her son was targeted by predators on Snapchat.
Investigators traced the Snapchat account to Garofalo, who allegedly received explicit photos and videos from the boy, including images showing his face.
Garofalo reportedly sent a message back, threatening to share the explicit content online if the boy did not send him additional nude photos.
He stated, “So, unless he gives me a good reason, I’m not going to delete them for the guy who blocked me,” indicating the coercive nature of his communication.
When the minor refused to comply, Garofalo responded, “Welp, then I haven’t deleted it.”
According to the district’s chief, Wayne Roper, most of Garofalo’s victims are from Long Island, but no students from Valley Stream High School were involved, and it was noted that Garofalo is no longer employed there.
During the investigation, federal agents also connected Garofalo to a chip from Snapchat that was referred to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in May 2024.
In response to a search warrant, Snapchat provided at least nine separate images and videos, believed to contain child abuse material involving various minors.
When agents searched Garofalo’s home last month, he reportedly agreed to a voluntary interview, acknowledging one of the images and admitting to controlling the account and soliciting explicit content from minors, alongside possessing child abuse material on his device.
The judge mentioned Garofalo had previously confessed his “addiction” to the troubling behavior that led to his arrest.
Garofalo’s lawyer, Anthony La Pinta, commented: “Joseph is known to be a respectful, caring, and hardworking young man.”
