CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – A former Long Island high school assistant lacrosse coach has pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually exploiting minors after investigators uncovered a scheme in which he threatened children to obtain explicit images and videos through social media.
Joseph Garofalo, who coached at a local high school, admitted to using online platforms to manipulate and blackmail more than 30 minors into producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury in Central Islip. Garofalo faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison when sentenced.
According to court filings, Garofalo posed as a trusted adult while coaching, then used his position to approach teens online. He engaged in sexually explicit conversations and threatened to share compromising images of victims unless they sent more explicit photos or videos—sometimes even demanding they send images of their friends. Prosecutors described the conduct as a deliberate and ongoing pattern of “sextortion.”
FBI: Coach “violated trust” of young athletes
“This case is a stark reminder that those entrusted with the care and mentorship of children must be held to the highest standards,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. “Our Office will relentlessly pursue predators like this defendant who victimize the most vulnerable members of our society.”
FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle, Jr. said Garofalo “violated this trust when he victimized these children to fulfill his perverted wants,” adding that the agency remains committed to holding accountable those who exploit positions of authority.
FBI seized devices, uncovered 30 victims
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Garofalo’s home on April 18, 2025, where he admitted to operating the social media account used to solicit explicit material. Investigators recovered electronic evidence confirming communications with about 30 minors and the storage of child exploitation material on his devices.
Garofalo also uploaded CSAM files to the internet, further compounding the charges against him. The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which targets child exploitation and online sexual abuse nationwide.
Key takeaways
• Former Long Island lacrosse coach Joseph Garofalo pleaded guilty to child exploitation.
• He blackmailed more than 30 minors online for explicit images in a sextortion scheme.
• Garofalo faces 15 to 30 years in federal prison; sentencing to be scheduled.
The investigation was led by the FBI’s New York Field Office with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam R. Toporovsky. Officials urged anyone with additional information about Garofalo’s conduct to contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 212-384-1000.
