Newberry Man Gets Five Years for Child Pornography

ALACHUA – A 59-year-old Newberry man, Joseph Paul Andes, has been sentenced to five years in state prison after pleading nolo contendere to 14 counts of possession of child pornography. The sentence was handed down by Judge David Kreider, who credited Andes with 351 days already served in jail.

Andes was arrested on Nov. 15, 2023, following a months-long investigation triggered by three CyberTips submitted in 2022. Authorities executed a search warrant at Andes’s Newberry residence on April 11, 2023.

During questioning, Andes initially denied possessing any child sexual exploitation material. However, he admitted to having detailed knowledge of such investigations, citing his previous role on a Federal Grand Jury that had overseen similar cases.

Digital forensic examiners discovered recent searches on Andes’s electronic devices for terms commonly associated with child sexual abuse material. When confronted, Andes claimed ignorance, insisting he didn’t understand the terms’ meanings. He suggested he was merely curious about how accessible such content might be but denied ever finding illegal material.

Despite his denials, investigators found multiple images of child sexual abuse on his devices. When asked if he had engaged in hands-on offenses involving children, Andes responded, “No, as a matter of fact, I am around kids a lot because I am a soccer referee.”

Following his arrest, Andes’s bail was set at $1.4 million, and he has remained in custody since. His plea of nolo contendere, which neither admits guilt nor disputes the charges, led to his conviction on 14 counts of possession of child pornography.

Judge Kreider sentenced Andes to 14 concurrent five-year prison terms.

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