The New Orleans Police Department has arrested a teacher and well-known choir director accused of sex trafficking and rape charges.
According to the NOPD, Joshua “Josh” Kagler was arrested Tuesday morning and is facing multiple felony charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors.
According to court documents, Kagler is accused of raping and paying a minor for “sexual activity” at his home.
Court records show the victim’s mother reported concerning text messages on her son’s phone to the NOPD on March 8.
The NOPD interviewed the victim, a 16-year-old boy, who told police that he was approached by Kagler at Warren Easton Charter School.
According to court documents, the boy was invited to Kagler’s residence to smoke marijuana. While at Kagler’s residence, the boy told police he was sent money through Cash App by Kagler and was asked to do pushups in his underwear and stand naked while blindfolded.
Court documents allege that Kagler’s actions escalated to him physically abusing the boy, despite him telling Kagler to stop.
According to the documents, Kagler is accused of continuing to try to groom and pay the boy for sexual acts despite the boy saying he wouldn’t do it.
The boy told police that he stopped communicating with Kagler despite the amount of money he offered.
The court documents show that Cash App records, as well as ride-share records, showed pick-ups and drop-offs at the victim’s home, as well as payments made to the victim.
According to court records, ride shares were sent six different times between Jan. 26 and Feb. 15. Cash App records show six payments made to the boy between those same dates, according to court records.
The boy also told police that Kagler would sometimes pick him up in his personal car and pay him cash.
Kagler was featured in a BET show called “Fix My Choir,” as well as another show called “How Sweet The Sound.”
According to the NOPD, Kagler is facing five counts of trafficking of children for sexual purposes, five counts of indecent behavior with juveniles, one count of third-degree rape, and one count of sexual battery.
He was in court Monday afternoon where he was held without bond. Kagler’s next court hearing is July 28.
The NOPD said Kagler has taught at several New Orleans schools, including George Washington Carver, McDonough 35, and Warren Easton High Schools.
The NOPD urges any other potential victims to come forward.
“We understand this may be difficult, but your safety and privacy are our top priority. You are not alone,” the NOPD said in an issued statement.
To report information directly, you are asked to contact the NOPD Sex Crimes Unit at (504) 658-5523. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or online at www.crimestoppersgno.org.
The Crimestoppers Safe Schools Louisiana App allows students and community members to anonymously report concerns by selecting their school, describing the issue, and even uploading photos or screenshots from social media — no names or phone numbers are required.
Warren Easton Charter School issued the following statement regarding the allegations against Kagler:
“We have been made aware of an ongoing police investigation involving an individual who was previously employed at Warren Easton during the 2024–2025 school year. This individual is no longer employed at the school. While we are unable to share specific details due to privacy laws and the active nature of the investigation, we can confirm that we are fully cooperating with the New Orleans Police Department. The safety and well-being of our students is — and always will be — our top priority.”
READ MORE:Well-known New Orleans teacher, choir director accused of sex trafficking, rape
