ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Buncombe County man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Joshua Ryan Reece, 46, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual servitude of a minor. Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg on Monday ordered Reece to serve between 182 and 279 months — roughly 15 to 23 years — in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
Reece will be required to register as a sex offender for 30 years. The court also issued a permanent no-contact order barring him from any form of communication with the victim for the rest of his life.
Investigators determined Reece persuaded the victim to send sexually explicit videos in exchange for vape cartridges, according to the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the videos and the transactions met the legal requirements for the exploitation and servitude charges.
The victim and her family were consulted before the plea and supported the agreement, the DA’s office said.
“Cases involving the abuse of a child are among the most serious and sensitive that this office unfortunately all too frequently prosecutes,” District Attorney Todd Williams said in a statement. “This outcome holds Reece accountable with a significant prison sentence and safeguards the victim through a permanent protective order and mandatory registration as a sex offender.”
Because of the nature of the crimes, authorities are withholding details that could identify the victim. The DA’s office thanked the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office for its investigation.
Officials encourage anyone with information about crimes against children, sex crimes or sexual servitude to contact local law enforcement or the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault at 919-871-1015.