A former Navy detective and police officer from El Cajon has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute child sex abuse material. Jonathan Christopher Laroche, who previously faced charges for using excessive force on a detained sailor, pleaded guilty to communicating online about the creation and sharing of videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of minors.
The investigation revealed that Laroche communicated with a user on the darknet who claimed to run a business that compensated individuals for sharing or creating such material. In these conversations, Laroche detailed his intent to sexually abuse a minor and create videos with her. While law enforcement stated they did not possess the specific files he allegedly uploaded, they cited other evidence, including records of purchases related to sex toys and children’s clothing, delivered to his home in Spring Valley.
Laroche’s online activities took place while he was employed by the Navy, a position he secured by misrepresenting his departure from the El Cajon Police Department. Prosecutors noted that during his tenure there, he faced termination for excessive force incidents. Instead of appealing, he resigned in 2018 and later joined the Navy, where he was charged with choking a handcuffed sailor to unconsciousness in November 2023.
As part of his plea agreement regarding the excessive force case, Laroche conceded to never seek future employment with any law enforcement agency. He was initially set to report to prison for a 15-month sentence related to the Navy incident when the federal prosecutors filed the child pornography charges against him.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge James Simmons expressed his belief that even the maximum sentence of 20 years was insufficient for the severity of Laroche’s actions, describing them as “reprehensible.” The judge indicated that he would have imposed a longer sentence if permitted.
Laroche displayed emotional distress throughout the hearing, weeping as he addressed the court. He expressed remorse, stating, “I am beyond horrified with myself.” His defense attorney, R. Deke Falls, attributed his client’s actions to struggles with alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his service in Iraq. Falls characterized Laroche’s conduct as “deplorable” and noted that he was seeking forgiveness from those he had harmed.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Griffith acknowledged Laroche’s early guilty plea but highlighted his initial attempts to evade accountability, including asking a former girlfriend to destroy evidence. In her court filings, Griffith noted that Laroche’s communications showed a persistent willingness to engage in “depraved conduct.”
This case highlights significant concerns regarding the behavior of individuals in positions of authority and the impact of mental health issues on decision-making. The sentence serves as a reminder of the seriousness of crimes involving child exploitation and the judicial system’s commitment to holding offenders accountable.
