USC Darla Moore School of Business Graduate Assistant Accused of Child Sexual Abuse Material

A graduate student at the Darla Moore School of Business and PhD candidate was arrested Oct. 22 on three counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Joshua Shoulders was arrested by investigators from the Office of the Attorney General of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s Internet Crimes against Children Task Force. USCPD also assisted in the investigation.

According to one press release From the attorney general’s office, investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which led them to Shoulders. Investigators said Shoulders distributed files containing child sexual abuse material.

The Public Prosecution Service will prosecute the case. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

“We are aware of the allegations and cannot discuss the status of individual students under federal student privacy laws,” said university spokesman Jeff Stensland. said. “However, in cases where students face serious criminal charges, this would result in suspension from campus.”