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A U.S. Army Reserve intelligence noncommissioned officer has entered an open guilty plea in a Hillsborough County, Florida felony case involving more than 70 counts tied to child exploitation material discovered during a forensic review of his cellular device.
Court records show that on September 30, 2025, Joseph Antoine Prevatte, 39, formally pleaded guilty in the Florida prosecution that stemmed from a separate investigation into inappropriate communications with a minor student while he was employed as a substitute teacher. Unlike the earlier student-related case, which was resolved through a negotiated plea, the Hillsborough County case reflects no written sentencing agreement.
In the signed plea paperwork, Prevatte acknowledged that he was pleading guilty and understood there was no agreement as to the sentence he would receive. Because the plea was entered “open,” the court retains full discretion in determining punishment within the statutory limits under Florida law.
An initial docket entry on September 30 indicated that a judgment and sentence had been entered. That entry was later marked as entered in error, and no valid sentencing order has yet been imposed. Sentencing is currently scheduled for April 13, 2026, in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit.
The Hillsborough County charges include numerous second-degree felony counts under Florida Statute 827.071 related to possession of child sexual abuse material. Charging language filed by prosecutors alleges multiple aggravating factors across various counts, including the number of images and the nature of certain depictions as defined under Florida law. Additional third-degree felony charges were filed under Florida Statute 828.126 related to unlawful depictions involving animals.
Each second-degree felony count carries a potential maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by the court following consideration of Florida’s sentencing guidelines and arguments presented at the April hearing.
The Hillsborough County prosecution originated from a search warrant executed after investigators reviewed communications tied to the earlier Manatee County, Florida case involving a minor student. A forensic extraction of Prevatte’s electronic devices led to the additional charges filed in 2025.
At the time of his arrest, he was serving as a senior enlisted intelligence noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve aligned with a unit supporting U.S. Special Operations Command. The Army Reserve has previously acknowledged awareness of the civilian prosecution but has not publicly detailed any administrative action.
With the guilty plea entered, the remaining issue before the Florida court is sentencing. The April 13 hearing will determine the final disposition of the case.
The Salty Soldier will continue to report as the case proceeds.
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