Three child sex offenders sentenced to state prison

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three child sex offenders were recently sentenced after investigations by the Gainesville Police Department.

Joshua Ackermann

Joshua David Ackermann, 19, was arrested on April 26 and charged with multiple counts of raping a minor under 18; the incidents reportedly continued for approximately four years. Ackermann entered a plea of nolo contendere to three offenses with a maximum sentence of 25 years and was sentenced to 15 years in state prison, followed by 10 years of sex offender probation; he is also required to register as a sex offender.

Nathan Pierson

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

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

Pierson entered a plea of nolo contendere to showing obscene content to a minor, lewd/lascivious exhibition with a victim under 12, and two counts of lewd/lascivious molestation with a victim under 12. The maximum sentence for the charges is life in prison, and the mandatory minimum is 25 years; Pierson was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by lifetime sex offender probation. He will also be required to register as a sexual predator.

Stephen Padgett

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

On December 20, 2023, Padgett entered the Gainesville Target store and followed three young girls, 5 through 7 years old. 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 weren’t looking, he would expose his penis and masturbate. Padgett circled one of the girls for approximately 9 minutes before gaining her attention. Once she looked at him, Padgett masturbated for almost 3 minutes before she left the area with her parent.

Padgett entered a plea of nolo contendere to all four charges, with a maximum sentence of 36 years. He was sentenced to 23 years in state prison, followed by three years of sex offender probation.

Detectives praise the courage of victims

GPD Detective Russano said, “Stephen Padgett and Nathan Pierson are just two child sexual predators that lived among us while committing heinous crimes on children in our community.” She said that Padgett had become “brazen” after decades of victimizing children in public, in the presence of their parents. Russano said Pierson “gained the trust of a child and used that trust to groom and abuse the child in her own home.”

Det. Russano said the two predators “underestimated the courage and the strength of the children they preyed on,” and she encouraged anyone with any suspicions or concerns to come forward and help identify predators who lurk in our community. A press release from GPD stated, “The decision of victims to come forward and share their experiences is a profound act of bravery and strength. It takes immense courage to reveal such personal and painful truths, and their actions play a crucial role in seeking justice and preventing further harm.”

GPD Det. McCazzio added, “We at the Gainesville Police Department understand that victims are likely to suffer lifelong trauma from these heinous cases, and getting a conviction is just one of many steps that help start the healing process.”