Nov 16, 2021, News Release
LOUISA, Va. – Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney Rusty McGuire announced that Benjamin Nagle, 41, of Spotsylvania was convicted of two counts of forcible sodomy of a child, one count of taking indecent liberties with a child, one count of aggravated sexual battery, seven counts of production of child pornography, and one count of animal cruelty. Child pornography is also referred to as “Child Sexual Abuse Material.”
Nagle served as the Director for the Rappahannock Office on Youth for many years. The organization assists at risk youth who may need a stable residence or help with an addiction that places them in need of services. In this position, Nagle, came into contact with multiple at risk minors and pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting two of the boys. Detectives from the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office conducted forensic examinations of cell phones and identified produced images of child pornography. Interviews of the boys revealed he provided them with money, video games, alcohol and drugs. The interviews also revealed that Nagle drowned the boys’ cats in front of them, which is the basis of the animal cruelty conviction.
During the sentencing today the Defendant called a few character witnesses to argue that his decade of involvement in the community warranted a lenient sentence. McGuire argued to the Court that “this is a vile case and saying that Nagle did good needs is like saying Jeffery Dahmer did good deeds by giving people a ride home.” When McGuire cross examined one of the character witnesses about the facts of the case the witness conceded he needed to reconsider his support. McGuire further argued that “Nagle violated the trust of the boys, the Office on Youth and this community when he exploited children and should spend decades in prison.”
Alex Goodman, who prosecuted this case with McGuire, said “we are thankful to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office for prioritizing this case and swiftly taking Nagle off the streets and to a place where he will no longer have access to children.”
The Court sentenced Nagle to 37 years to serve which is tantamount to a life sentence.
