A former Navy detective and El Cajon police officer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute child sex abuse material. Jonathan Christopher Laroche, who previously faced charges for using excessive force against a detained sailor, pleaded guilty to communicating online about the creation and sharing of videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of minors.
The sentencing occurred in a federal court in San Diego, where U.S. District Judge James Simmons expressed his disdain for Laroche’s actions. He noted that, while the 20-year sentence was the maximum allowed, he would have imposed a longer term if possible. Judge Simmons characterized Laroche’s conduct as “reprehensible,” emphasizing the severity of the crimes involved.
Court documents revealed that Laroche had engaged with a user on the darknet who claimed to operate a business that compensated individuals for sharing or creating such material. In his communications, Laroche detailed his intent to produce videos involving a minor victim. Although law enforcement officials acknowledged they did not possess the specific files he allegedly uploaded, they cited other evidence, including records of purchases of sex toys and children’s clothing delivered to his home in Spring Valley.
While serving as a police officer, Laroche reportedly used excessive force on multiple individuals, leading to his resignation from the El Cajon Police Department in 2018 rather than face termination. Following this, he joined the Navy, where he faced separate charges for choking a handcuffed sailor into unconsciousness in November 2023.
Laroche’s legal troubles escalated when he was set to begin serving a 15-month sentence for the excessive force incident. Prosecutors filed the sex crime case against him shortly before his prison report date. As part of his plea agreement in the excessive force case, Laroche consented to never seek employment with law enforcement again.
During the sentencing hearing, Laroche displayed visible emotion, apologizing to those present and stating, “I am beyond horrified with myself.” His defense attorney, R. Deke Falls, argued that Laroche’s actions stemmed from struggles with alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from his service in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. Falls requested a 15-year sentence, acknowledging the deplorable nature of Laroche’s actions while asserting that he sought forgiveness from those he had harmed.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Griffith highlighted that despite Laroche’s early guilty plea, his initial reaction to the impending arrest was to evade responsibility. She stated that he contacted his then-girlfriend, urging her to destroy evidence related to the case. Griffith described Laroche’s online exchanges as revealing a persistent eagerness to engage in depraved conduct.
This case underscores significant issues regarding accountability within law enforcement and the potential consequences of abuse of power. The lengthy sentence aims to reflect the seriousness of the offenses and serve as a warning against similar actions in the future.
