Man caught with child porn multiple times enters plea agreement

INMAN, SC (FOX Carolina) – A man who had child sexual abuse material while out on bond for child pornography charges has been sentenced to prison.

Gabriel Hostetler pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

In June 2021, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office was conducting an investigation into the use of a file-sharing network for the distribution and possession of child porn. A special agent found a user that was making files of child sexual abuse material available to share, and determined the material was coming from a home in Inman.

Hostetler was arrested and, after being advised of his Miranda rights, admitted to using his cell phone to share footage of child sex abuse. Investigators found multiple images on his device.

He was arrested and charged with 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

In September 2022, special investigator Kevin Atkins with the Attorney General’s Office was conducting a similar investigation and found child sex abuse material being shared from a home in Easley.

Investigators learned Hostetler was living at the home with a family member while out on bond for his initial charges. He once again admitted to using his phone for child porn and investigators found more illegal images.

He was sentenced to six years in prison and given credit for 787 days served in jail. He will be required to register as a sex offender when released.

Hostetler charges faces out of Spartanburg County are still pending, according to online court records.