In a dramatic development, a former detective from Jacksonville was found guilty of sexually abusing a kid and given a sentence of more than 20 years in jail. For his offenses against a 17-year-old, Josue Garriga, popularly known as “Sway,” was sentenced to 24 years and 4 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard imposed this term on Garriga, who will also be required to register as a sex offender and serve 10 years of supervised release after his release from jail.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Officer, the victim was first encountered by the former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) gang unit detective at a church in 2023. In several instances, Garriga used his JSO-issued work vehicle to meet and participate in illicit activities with the child, which included sexual contact. Additionally, he took advantage of his position by using encrypted communications and an undercover social media account to interact with the victim and exchange obscene images.
A serious abuse of Garriga’s authority as a law enforcement officer occurred when he physically restrained the victim in his JSO car, as detailed in the court filings. His actions damaged the life of a young person on the verge of adulthood in addition to shattering the community’s faith in him. Garriga’s sentence also included the seizure of two telephones that were used to commit the offenses.
According to the Department of Justice, Garriga’s actions were denounced by Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) in Jacksonville, Tim Hemker. “This individual violated his position of trust in the community and sought to take advantage of a child for his own satisfaction,” he said. The Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force worked on the investigation, and HSI Jacksonville, JSO, and other local agencies made major contributions. Their dedication to protecting local youngsters and prosecuting those who want to take advantage of them is demonstrated by this cooperative effort.
The prosecution’s unwavering pursuit of justice under Project Safe Childhood is demonstrated by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Cofer Taylor and Kelly S. Milliron. With the goal of apprehending offenders and rescuing victims, this national campaign tackles the problem of child sexual exploitation and abuse and works together with local, state, and federal agencies.
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