UPDATE: A Provo man has been arrested and charged with a staggering 12 felonies after allegedly attempting to lure an undercover officer posing as an adult male with a 13-year-old nephew. Josue Daniel McBride, aged 32, is currently held without bail in the Utah County Jail following his arrest by the Lehi Police Department on November 10, 2025.
The charges against McBride include two counts of enticing a minor, four counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, and five additional counts of aggravated sexual exploitation, as well as distributing pornographic material. These serious accusations stem from a disturbing online exchange that began on the social media platform Reddit.
On or about November 5, 2025, an undercover officer created a post on the “utahgayhookup” forum, using emojis recognized by law enforcement as indicators of sexual interest in children. Almost immediately, McBride responded to the post, engaging in conversations that revealed his intent to exploit minors.
According to court documents, the dialogue escalated as McBride expressed interest in seeing photos of the undercover officer’s alleged nephew. He reportedly offered to share videos of minors and discussed graphic sexual acts. In a chilling exchange, McBride allegedly sent videos of children, including one between the ages of 10 and 12 being sexually assaulted.
The undercover officer eventually ceased communication but managed to gather enough information to confirm McBride’s identity and place of employment. Detectives arrested him shortly after he left work, bringing an urgent end to this disturbing case.
This arrest serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against child exploitation. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to report it immediately by contacting local law enforcement or the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211.
As this case unfolds, it highlights the critical need for vigilance in protecting children from online predators. The community is left reeling from the implications of this serious crime. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
