Klamath Falls Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Child Sex Abuse-Related Crimes
Convictions include multiple counts of encouraging child sexual abuse, court records show
A Klamath Falls man has been sentenced to 16 years in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges involving the encouragement of child sexual abuse, according to court records.
Joshua Michael Gonhue, 39, was sentenced on January 8, 2026, in Klamath County Circuit Court after being convicted on 13 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and one count of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree.
Court documents state that Gonhue entered guilty pleas to all 14 counts during a judicial settlement conference held on December 19, 2025, and was later sentenced by the court.
The case was investigated by the Klamath Falls Police Department in partnership with the Oregon Department of Justice and prosecuted by the Oregon Department of Justice.
According to investigators, the case began on December 14, 2023, when Klamath Falls patrol officers received information indicating Gonhue was in possession of child sexual abuse material. The investigation was referred to the department’s detective division, and a report was forwarded to the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office for review.
During the investigation, the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received multiple CyberTips implicating Gonhue. Those tips were forwarded to KFPD’s designated ICAC detective, who also served as the lead investigator in the case. The Oregon Department of Justice later adopted the investigation.
Gonhue was arrested by Klamath Falls Police on May 28, 2025, and has remained in custody since that time.
In a statement, Klamath Falls Police said the department remains committed to protecting vulnerable members of the community and holding offenders accountable, while thanking the Oregon Department of Justice for its assistance in handling what officials described as a complex and serious case.
Authorities encourage anyone who believes an individual is encouraging child sexual abuse — including requesting, sharing, promoting, or facilitating child sexual abuse material — to report it immediately. Reports can be made by contacting the Klamath Falls Police Department or through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
