Three child sex offenders sentenced to prison terms

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three child sex offenders were recently convicted following an investigation by Gainesville Police.

Joshua Ackerman

Joshua David Ackermann, 19, was arrested on April 26 and charged with multiple counts of rape of a minor under the age of 18. The incidents reportedly continued for about four years. Ackermann pleaded nolo contendere to three counts, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 10 years of sex offender probation. He must also register as a sex offender.

Nathan Pierson

Nathan Everett Pierson, 29, was arrested on August 21, 2023, for sexually abusing his pregnant girlfriend's 9-year-old daughter. Pierson also reportedly forced the child to watch obscene videos and taught her how to masturbate.

During the investigation, GPD Detective Russano obtained a full confession from Pierson.

Pierson pleaded nolo contendere to one count of showing obscene matter to a minor, one count of lewd/lascivious exposure of a victim under 12, and two counts of lewd/lascivious molestation of a victim under 12. The maximum sentence for these charges is life in prison, with a minimum sentence of 25 years. Pierson was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by lifetime sex offender probation. He must also register as a sex offender.

Stephen Padgett

Stephen Gray Padgett, 58, was arrested on January 2 and charged with two counts of lewd/lascivious exhibition of a victim under the age of 12, attempted lewd/lascivious exhibition of a victim under the age of 12, and exposure of genitals.

On December 20, 2023, Padgett entered the Target store in Gainesville and followed three young girls, ages 5 to 7. All three girls were accompanied by their parents. Padgett was caught on surveillance video repeatedly attempting to get the attention of the three girls. When he got their attention and their parents were not looking, he would expose his penis and masturbate. Padgett circled one of the girls for approximately 9 minutes before getting her attention. When she looked at him, Padgett masturbated for nearly 3 minutes before leaving the area with her parents.

Padgett pleaded nolo contendere to all four counts, facing a maximum sentence of 36 years. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison, followed by three years of sex offender probation.

Detectives praise the victims’ courage

GPD Detective Russano said, “Stephen Padgett and Nathan Pierson are simply two sexual predators who lived among us and committed heinous crimes against children in our community.” She said Padgett became “brazen” after decades of abusing children in public and in the presence of their parents. Russano said Pierson “gained the trust of a child and used that trust to abuse the child in her own home.”

Det. Russano said the two perpetrators “underestimated the courage and strength of the children they abused,” and she encouraged anyone with suspicions or concerns to come forward and help identify the perpetrators lurking in our community. A GPD press release said, “The victims' decision to come forward and share their experiences is an act of bravery and strength. It takes tremendous courage to disclose such personal and painful truths, and their actions play a critical role in seeking justice and preventing further harm.”

GPD Det. McCazzio added, “We at the Gainesville Police Department recognize that the victims of these heinous cases will likely suffer lifelong trauma and a conviction is just one of many steps that begin the healing process.”