Upstate man sentenced to prison for sexual exploitation of minors

PICKENS COUNTY, SC (WSPA) – An Upstate man has been sent to prison for the sexual exploitation of minors.

On Tuesday, Gabriel Hostetler, of Pickens County, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. An investigation was opened in June 2021.

Officials said an investigator was conducting an online investigation when he found a user who was making files containing child abuse material available for sharing. Detectives were able to identify a residence in Inman as the home from which the material was being shared.

The case was referred to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.

In December 2021, Hostetler was arrested and questioned. Officers said the suspect admitted to using his cell phone to share the material online. A search was conducted on Hostetler’s phone and multiple images of child abuse material turned up.

In September 2022, another investigation was opened when investigators discovered another user making files available for sharing. Investigators were able to identify a residence in Easley as the home from which the material was being shared.

Further investigation determined that the residents had moved to Spartanburg. Police contacted the homeowner who revealed that his brother, Hostetler, had lived with him before moving to Pickens County.

The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office executed an arrest warrant for a home in the area where they found Hostetler in October 2022. Hostetler admitted to still having child abuse material on his devices.

A search of Hostetler’s phone turned up more images of child sexual abuse.

Hostetler was sentenced to six years in prison on both charges, officials said.

Officials said Hostetler was sentenced to 787 days in prison and will be required to register as a Category 2 sex offender upon his release.