Prominent New Orleans Educator and Gospel Artist Arrested on Felony Child Exploitation Charges

NEW ORLEANS (BuzzReport) — The New Orleans community is grappling with profound shock and dismay following the arrest of Joshua “Josh” Kagler, a respected award-winning local gospel artist and high school choir teacher, on multiple felony charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. Kagler, 38, was taken into custody on Tuesday morning and booked into the Orleans Justice Center, facing a serious array of charges that have sent ripples through both the educational and cultural sectors of the city.

The charges against Kagler are extensive and grave: he faces five counts of trafficking of children for sexual purposes, five counts of indecent behavior with juveniles, one count of third-degree rape, and one count of sexual battery.

According to Kagler’s arrest affidavit, the investigation was initiated after the mother of a 16-year-old boy discovered concerning text messages of a sexual nature on her son’s cellphone. The boy subsequently told investigators that he had been approached by a teacher from Warren Easton Charter High School, later identified as Kagler.

The victim alleged that Kagler invited him to his home, initially under the guise of smoking marijuana. The affidavit details that Kagler then began paying the boy for sexual activities, a pattern police describe as “grooming the boy to perform sexual acts and used money as bait.” The 16-year-old reported that while the encounters began with Kagler observing him, they escalated to physical contact, to which he objected. All incidents reportedly occurred at Kagler’s residence, with Kagler allegedly arranging transportation for the boy, either by personally picking him up and dropping him off or by using a rideshare service. Payments were allegedly made in cash or through a cash app.

Kagler was listed on the Warren Easton website as a choir instructor at the time of his arrest. In a swift response, the school confirmed Kagler’s prior employment during the 2024-2025 school year but stated, “This individual is no longer employed at the school.” Warren Easton emphasized its commitment to cooperation with law enforcement, stating, “While we are unable to share specific details due to privacy laws and the active nature of the investigation, we can confirm that we are fully cooperating with the New Orleans Police Department. The safety and well-being of our students is—and always will be—our top priority.” Kagler had also previously taught at two other New Orleans-area schools, George Washington Carver and McDonough 35. New Orleans Public Schools also released a statement stressing student safety and confirming Warren Easton’s cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

The allegations against Kagler are particularly distressing given his public profile. Beyond his role as an educator, Kagler is a well-known figure in the local music scene, celebrated for his performances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with his Harmonistic Praise Crusade. He also notably contributed to the Grammy Award-winning best roots gospel album “Church.”

The New Orleans Police Department has confirmed that the investigation is active and ongoing, and no further information is available at this time. The NOPD has issued a powerful appeal to the community, directly urging any other potential victims to come forward. “We understand this may be difficult, but your safety and privacy are our top priority. You are not alone,” the NOPD stated, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the commitment to supporting victims.

Kagler was expected to make his first appearance before a New Orleans magistrate judge on Tuesday afternoon.

Anyone with information regarding this case is strongly encouraged to contact the NOPD Sex Crimes Unit at (504) 658-5523, or anonymously through Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or crimestoppersgno.org.