A Clay Springs man has been sentenced in Navajo County Superior Court to 17 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections for sexual crimes against a 14-month-old relative.
On Aug. 2, 2023, agents with Homeland Security Investigations, the primary investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, notified the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Apprehension Team that they had discovered Joshuah Cruz Eberhart, 25, of Clay Springs, was distributing child sex abuse material online.
The two agencies immediately began cooperating on an investigation and Eberhart was arrested on Aug. 3, 2023. He confessed that he had produced and distributed the sexually explicit video, which depicted himself and a male relative, who was a toddler at the time of filming.
Eberhart remained in custody at the Navajo County Jail while the matter was further investigated, and he pleaded guilty in January. He was sentenced on Feb. 22, on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class 2 felony.
“Thanks to the tremendous investigation and cooperation between Homeland Security Investigations and MCAT, this dangerous sex offender is no longer free to harm or exploit children in our community,” said Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon. “I am grateful for their efforts and for those of our deputy county attorney who prosecuted this case. Crimes against children are particularly heinous. It is incumbent upon those of us in the criminal justice system to secure justice for all victims, especially those who are unable to advocate for themselves.”
“The diligent and extensive investigative work by HSI special agents and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Apprehension Team led to the identification and prosecution of this defendant who will face the consequences for his despicable actions,” said Francisco B. Burrola, special agent in charge for HSI Arizona. “This lengthy sentence will allow him ample time to think of the heinous crimes he committed against an infant.”
The crime of sexual exploitation of a minor carries a presumptive sentence of 17 years imprisonment, with a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 24 years.
The court found several aggravating factors that called for a sentence greater than the minimum, one of which was the fact that Eberhart was in a position of trust and authority over the child involved in this case. Eberhart will not be eligible for early release or parole and must serve the entirety of his sentence. Upon release from prison, he must register as a sex offender.
“Crimes against children are an absolute priority to me and the entire Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. This is a great example of partnership between the Navajo County Major Crimes Apprehension Team and Homeland Security. I admire the aggressive prosecution by the Navajo County Attorney’s Office,” said Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse. “Unfortunately, the Sheriff’s Office investigates these crimes too often. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault or any other crimes committed against children, please call local law enforcement.”
